Historic Moves of God.

For over 2000 years the Body of Christ has been battling against Satan and his demons, who have tried to stop the believers coming to maturity in Christ. Although the Apostle Paul taught the whole counsel of God, he warned the believers that false teachers would arise.

`Therefore take heed to yourselves.....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. `Therefore watch...` Acts 20: 28 - 31)

Thus we see from history that the early believers were tested as to false teaching and this has continued down to our day. However the Holy Spirit continually moved upon people guiding the Body of Christ into all truth, just as the Lord said.

`However when He the Spirit of Truth has come, He will guide you into all truth;..` (John 16: 13)

1.   The Early Believers. (AD Pentecost - 3rd century)

This is the time of the early Body of Christ. It began on the day of Pentecost by the Holy Spirit, and the believers continued steadfastly in the Apostle`s doctrine.

` And they (believers) continued steadfastly in the Apostle`s doctrine (teaching) and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers......and breaking bread from house to house, the ate their food with gladness of heart. `(Acts 2: 42 & 46)

The believers shared food, fellowship, and prayed together joyfully. There was no man made religious organisations, for the Holy Spirit enabled each to share.

`Let the word of Christ dwell in you rightly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.` (Col. 3: 16)

However as time went on false teachers, false prophets and false apostles arose. Paul admonished the Corinthians for coming under wrong leadership.

`For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you in the face.` (2 Cor. 12: 20)

A man called Diotrephes was one such person.

`Diotrephes who loves to have the pre-eminence ....pratting against us with malicious words....does not receive the brethren and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church, (gathering).` (3 John 9)