How does the Body of Christ mature?

[Marilyn C]

I have seen that some people do not understand what Christ the Head of the Body if doing. I thought it would thus be a good topic to discuss. Here is what I believe. 

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.

 

1.Ministry gifts (Eph. 4: 11) - Bishops were substituted. (AD 110)

 

2.Holy Spirit infilling and gifts - Formalisation of worship. (3rd C)

 

3.Holiness - Amalgamation of Church and State. (AD 323)

 

4.Baptism for believers - Infant Sprinkling. (6th C)

 

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)

 

 

 

 

 

[Dennis1209]

You pretty much summed it up there Marilyn C. As Dennis1209 would say, "you hit the nail on the head."

There's so much that has been written about the centuries you covered. One fact that covers a lot of it, is man's thoughts and traditions, not the Bible. To keep this brief and not write a doctorial thesis...

Martin Luther [reformation] and many of his followers articulated antisemitism and replacement theology. During Luther's time, the Gutenburg printing press was in full operation; the Bible was the first book ever to be mass produced and a best seller. Luther would have had his own personal copy of the Bible during his life time. Luther was a very smart man and gifted; I don't understand where he [and millions of others since], subscribe to God is finished with the nation of Israel and forfeited all the unconditional promises God made to the nation of Israel? God's word clearly states otherwise.

[Marilyn C]

42 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

You pretty much summed it up there Marilyn C. As Dennis1209 would say, "you hit the nail on the head."

There's so much that has been written about the centuries you covered. One fact that covers a lot of it, is man's thoughts and traditions, not the Bible. To keep this brief and not write a doctorial thesis...

Martin Luther [reformation] and many of his followers articulated antisemitism and replacement theology. During Luther's time, the Gutenburg printing press was in full operation; the Bible was the first book ever to be mass produced and a best seller. Luther would have had his own personal copy of the Bible during his life time. Luther was a very smart man and gifted; I don't understand where he [and millions of others since], subscribe to God is finished with the nation of Israel and forfeited all the unconditional promises God made to the nation of Israel? God's word clearly states otherwise.

Oh thanks Dennis,

You always come up with interesting bits of information. That is very important regarding Luther and replacement theology. Thanks. 

[Leonardo Von]

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How does the Body of Christ mature?

Praying, poring on the Holy Scripture and put all of this into practice loving the neighbor in Jesus' presence.