Note: the purpose of all of this was to edify the body and train saints up for ministry / Ephesians 4
*One Church and One Body
Ephesians 4:3-7
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are 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.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
This shows clearly that there is only one universal body of Christ and not several bodies. The New Testament is the model we go by as it is the New Covenent. Apostle Paul tells us to keep the traditions he handed down to us from God.
*Do Not Keep Man Made Traditions
*Do Not Keep Man Made Traditions
1 Corinthians 11:1
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
Thessalonians 2:15
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
Today many men keep other man made traditions that are not from God's word.
Ephesians 4
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
So you see that men do have different gifts and they are all used for the edifying of the saints. One thing that is clear in the New Testament is that worship was from house to house and not in a set building. The saints shared their homes and there was not one person ruling over them but all equally shared their knowledge and their spiritual gifts. They were striving to learn how to use their gifts and to build one another up and help each other be trained for the ministry God had for them individually. So if a well seasoned saint was tested by a few born again believers and this man was proven to be of the same mind the others were willing to be taught by this more knowleagable man, but that didn't mean this well seasoned man wanted to rise up to rule over them like we see in man made religion today with their pulpits of power and lording over attitude. In fact thewell seasoned man meant he was a very humble man and that is the opposite of what we see today. To give you a picture of what it would be like is men sitting around one another and discussing the scriptures as to edify one another, so their was no pulpit but all equally shared their thoughts of God and discussed what it takes to live a holy life. If you walked up to their meeting you would not recognize one man ruling over the people because they were all equal with Christ being the head.
Mark 6
Again God warns to not keep man made traditions and the above verses make that clear.
*Offerings Out of Love for the Brethren and Not Tithes
*Offerings Out of Love for the Brethren and Not Tithes
As far as offerings every man gave what he could to help poor saints or for supplies used for the ministry but not to fund a big building.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Unfortunately, the modern pastors today tell you to give 10% of all your income. This 10% tithe was old testament and meant for Israel and no where in the NT were gentiles commanded to give tithes. Again, they would give from the heart to help support widows or poor saints.
Also they did not keep pagan holidays like we see today in these spiritually dead churches. Today the modern churches are keeping Christmas (Christ-mass) Easter and even Halloween with all it's evil symbols. This is how dead these churches are. The protestant baptist churches and many other denominations keep these man made holidays.
Jeremiah 10:2
“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.”
Colossians 2:8
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
These scripture prove that not one man asurped authority over the flock.
To fully understand what is the Lord's intent for leadership in His body let's see what Jesus told His disciples. Jesus said in Matt 20:
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Does this sound like the role you see today in most all modern religious places where you have "one man in a pulpit ruling and lording over the people" as the one on charge? No it does not at all. Jesus said if you want to be great, be a servant. Men need to take heed to this verse and check their hearts.
To fully understand what is the Lord's intent for leadership in His body let's see what Jesus told His disciples. Jesus said in Matt 20:
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Does this sound like the role you see today in most all modern religious places where you have "one man in a pulpit ruling and lording over the people" as the one on charge? No it does not at all. Jesus said if you want to be great, be a servant. Men need to take heed to this verse and check their hearts.
Romans 12:10
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
You mean they were equal? Well yes they were and God was the head. And if anyone had more knowledge the others were open to that. Of course they were all learning from each other and willingly submitted to one another. The elders were the overseers but they were equal in Christ and they all submitted to one another. True saints would follow biblical elders but the elders did not overstep their bounds by making up silly rules for the people to follow like many denominations do.
Ephesians 5:21
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
3 John 1:9
“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.”
Also a lot of pastors like to use Hebrews 13:17 about obey them that rule over you. Here is a link about this in more detail.
Again, the elders were to be shepherds and to be totally biblical and examples to the flock of God's people, not owning or controlling the whole thing. Apostle Paul instructed multiple elders in every city and not one man in each city because pride could get in his heart and he could make decisions for the flock with no accountability. This does not mean the elders ruled with an iron fist, but they also wanted to be held accountable. Many maen were actively serving in the body , not just one man leading every week. A lot of this ruling over started in the 4th century where pagan men wanted to asurp authority over the people and they came out with their own sysytematic way of doing this. It was not of God. Then the reformers in the 16th century continued these false practices of a one man ruling over everyone without accountability. In all reality the elders and all the saints were servants one to another. This is true unity of the church.
1 Peter 5:1 - 5:3
2 Corinthians 1:24
“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”
No true believer wants to asurp authority over the saints. The bottom line is modern pastors made Hebrews 13:17 to mean that their supposed to be the only one to rule over the people and their supposed to have complete authority and that is a lie.
"Christ is the head of the body, the church; Christ is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in everything Christ might be preeminent. For in Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Christ all things are reconciled to God, whether on earth or in heaven,
making peace by the blood of Christ's cross". Colossians 1:15-20
that in everything Christ might be preeminent. For in Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Christ all things are reconciled to God, whether on earth or in heaven,
making peace by the blood of Christ's cross". Colossians 1:15-20
Ephesians 5:21
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
Hey, wait a minute, it didn't say for one man to stand up behind a wooden box and put on a show for the others. Amen!!! I'm so glad God is in charge and not man and his false ways. Today these pastors get up behind a pulpit an yell and make crazy noises and command people when to sit down, get up and to repeat after them. This was part of the greek theatre system from the 6th century that had religious festivals. The truth is that these false worshippers would even have strong drink and lose full control of their emotions and in effect become another person. Today these pastors do not have strong drink but hype themselves up behind the pulpit and act like it's some sort of magical power of God leading them. This is ungodly and a false representation of God. I was blinded by all of this until I opened up to study the scriptures and the history of all this nonsense.
Colossians 2:8
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Romans 8:8
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
2 Timothy 4:3
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
Also the apostles met several times through the week and not just on Sunday. Today we have one man making his home the primary meeting place because he wants control and power over the people. There are some groups that take turns meeting at each others homes but in many ways they are still unbiblical.They strongly believed in exhorting one another daily.
Hebrews 3:13
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
1 Peter 5:3
“Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
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,”
The Lords supper was not that of the Roman Catholics with a little cup of wine and a little piece of bread. The apostles ate a full meal together and drank wine representing the Lord's body but not saying it was literally His body. So many baptist and mennonites and other denominations practice this man made tradition still today when it wasn't so in the scriptures. They ate a full meal together and drank wine to represent the body and blood of Christ death, burial and resurrection. The one thing most denominations don't believe is that the bread is the literal body and the wine is the literal blood like Catholics teach.
The gathering of saints was orderly and not a bunch of people jumping up and down and claiming to be slain in the spirit like these false teachers practice today. A lot of these false teachers rehearse beforehand to act they heal people as they fall on the ground. These false teachers also blaspheme God by telling people they need to give money so God can give back to them. What a deception but yet people fall for it because they are not born again and spiritually dead.
1 John 4:1
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
Also there was no entertainment or solo singing as to lift themselves up as do many churches. These singers practice for hours to get a perfect pitch voice but their heart is far from God and all it really does is get people's emotions stirred up and think that it's the holy spirit when in fact it's not.
Galatians 5:18
“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”
Galatians 5:16
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
This gathering was a special time for believers to draw closer together over the Word of God, become united (one in the faith) as in 1 Corinthians 1:10, exhort one another to continue in the faith, and endure to the end with the glorious expectation of inheriting Christ's Kingdom. They have come together to exalt God, train each other up, to love, encourage, to learn the Word and to break bread. (The Lord's supper)
The saints do not let the world in their worship and bible study like many churches do. Thats why these churches are not biblical. And the reason they let them in is because they themselves practice worldy ways.
Amos 3:3
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Look at this verse and realize that the church and the world do agree so yes they can. But this verse is talking about a true saint cannot walk wih a worldy heathen. These churches that claim to be biblical believe you have to offer entertainment to win the world. How ridiculous!! The church is acting like the world to gain the world. What hypocrites!!
Matthew 7:5
“Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.”
Matthew 15:8
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
Remember the people that are believers are the church, not a building.
1 Corinthians 3:16
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
The temple system was done away with when Christ was crucified.
1 Corinthians Chapter 6
*The Gospel was Preached and Emphasized
The gospel is the foundation of the New Testament. After all why else did Jesus die? He wanted us to have eternal life and that is why John the baptist preached repentance and calling people out of their sin like he did King Herod.
Mark chapter 6
This is what happened to John the Baptist
27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
Mark 16:15
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 1:15
“And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
*Holiness and Obedience in Christ was Key
Romans 16:19
“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”
Acts 5:29
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
With Jesus teaching his disciples was the greatest example of what we should do. Satan has his disciples and many of them are attending man made religion. As a born again christian we are to strive to be obedient in all things. This is the fruit of a born again christian.
Matthew 7:16
“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”
John 14:15
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
1 Peter 1:14
“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”
*Making Disciples was Also Important and Commanded by God
Matthew Chapter 28
How do we make disciples? By training up the born again christians on the ways of God that found in His word, not by creating our own rules like man made tradition does. The problem with man made traditions is that their claiming that they make disciples, but yet the youth dress immodest and so do the adults and they are ok with entertainment such as movies, swimming and amusement parks and my question for them is...How is that making disciples? It's not.
*Modest Dress was Practiced Among Saints
1 Peter 3:3
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;”
1 Timothy 2:9
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;”
Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
If we, as christians are not to be conformed of this world then that means our dress will be different from theirs. How can we be a peculiar people if we look like the world does? This is where many churches fail to represent God and His standards. Let it not be so among the saints.
Men and women are to wear robe like clothes that will not show their form. Many baptist and mennonite men where tight pants and expect the women to wear long loose dresses, although many of them churches also allow women to wear sinched in dresses also. It's so hypocritical.
Also they say that it's not for us today. Really? What else is not for us today? This is exactly why God's standards are not practiced, because everything peoples flesh likes to do is justified by them so they can live in sin instead of coming out of it.
*Church Discipline was Important to Keep Sin Out of the Body
1 Corinthians 5:11
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
Hebrews 10:26
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,”
Matthew 18:17
“And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
Galatians 6:1
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
If we love our brothers and sisters in the Lord we will call them out if we know their in sin.
*Music and Entertainment was Not Practiced in the New Testament Body
Have you ever considered the power of music to control people? There are many kinds of music for many kinds of moods and events that man has invented to soothe his flesh and please him. Most are NOT in line with purity and goodness are they? (Country, rap, rock, dance, pop etc.)
I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 1 Corinthians 14:1
John 4:24
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Let the word of Christ dwell in you 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
Colossians 3:16
Colossians 3:16
The new testament doesn't command us to use instruments but to use our own mouth to sing in our hearts to the Lord.
The problem with instruments and solo singing is the music is supposed to prepare you for worship but all it's really doing is stirring up your flesh which is why these pentecostal churches use instrumental music. And many other churches use it also and jump around and shouting and acting foolish. With no music you can focus on being sober for the Lord.
A very important point I want to make is that most all churches that have music are living carnal lives which is proof that it doesn't cause one to seek after true holiness living. Remember that. Also, if we need music to help us live for God then His word isn't good enough and we are mocking Him. All we need is God's word and to live by it and practice it on a daily basis.
In the old testament God directed the people to use instruments for his glory but He had specific reasons for it.
In the old testament there was no holy spirit indwelling in the people so God allowed the use of musical instruments to help them get into the worship. In the new testament we have the holy spirit living in us and we do not need the music. For more on the music read this article from my brother in the Lord....
*Women Did not Speak While Men Reasoned In the Word or Teach
1 Corinthians 14:34
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”
1 Corinthians 14:34
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”
This is so clear and yet we have women preachers and teachers who are direct disobedience to God's word. Men were elders and not women.
1 Timothy 3:1-13 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 2:12-14 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
This does not mean women are of lesser importance in the eyes of the Lord as we can see from Galatians 3:28 where we see God is no respecter of persons as well as 1 Corinthians 11 in which Paul refers to the creation order of men and women. We also see that while our beloved Savior Jesus was here, there were many women that traveled with Him, learning alongside the men.
These women: Priscilla, Euodia, Synthyche, Persis, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Junia, Phebe, Julia, Nereus sister, Mary (and many others) are praised by Paul as being workers, fellow laborers in the gospel and servants to the church body.
Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.
1 Corinthians 14:35
“And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
I think most people just like to ignore the scriptures because feminism is so big now that they don't want to rock the boat but this is sin and God commands us per these scriptures. A true biblical gathering of teaching and studying God's word will hold to the scriptures. And also a godly woman would want to obey God's word and not try to rise up and disobey it. This is an important point for the women who want to justify it. Some women use Deborah to justify teaching or preaching. God used Deborah to rebuke Barak because the men would not stand in the gap and so God shamed the men. God allowed her to do this under His direction and special circumstances but this was not a blanket statement for women to teach or preach. This is where rightly dividing the word is important. And again the new testament makes this very clear and this is the new covenant were under.
2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
*Close Fellowship was Imperative to the Saints of God
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
Hebrews 10:25
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Acts 2:42
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
So the scriptures doesn't use the word accountability you say. Well, it does say that were to give account.
Matthew 12:36
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
In the world the soldiers in the battle stick together and help each other. In the same token us christians should stick together except were going to hold each other accountable.
1 Peter 4:5
“Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.”
Conversing with one another daily, especially since now we have phones is a great encouragement and can help us to hold one another accounable.
Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
James 5:16
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Amen!! These scriptures are edifying and if we take hede to them we will be purified in our hearts and minds.
Galatians 6:2
“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
*No Seperating the Chidren From the Parents for Sunday School (all the people were together to hear God's word being preached)
You do not see the saints of God being seperated from the children or any youth pastors who make up foolish games that just stir the childrens flesh instead of teaching them to be sober in all things. Yes, chidren can have pure and holy play time but that is at their own home under the parents guidance. Today, these churches are helping the children to learn how to please the flesh, and even I remember the awana club that is popular in the churches and lets the boys and girls play games that have physical contact. This is setting up the children to not be sober minded. This is ungodly and uncalled for. The whole family should be together during bible study and preaching of the word.
*In Conclusion
The new testament body is supposed to encourage us in the faith and cause us to want to put away fleshly things and provoke us to love and good works. It's a sad thing that churches today are totally of the world and about the things of the world.
Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Again, the purpose of the New Testament body is for saints to gather and have the Lord's supper so we can examine ourselves and to walk blameless in the holy spirit for the glory of God. Yes, we are to glorify our Lord and saviour in our thoughts and actions and to be holy as God is holy. May this article encourage you to seek the truth of God and truly understand what the purpose of the NT body is supposed to be, especially since most man made churches today do not model themselves as per the scriptures command.
Ephesians 5:27
“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
May God be praised!!!!
