The Church - what are we called to?

[Vine Abider]

1 minute ago, Mr. M said:

We are witnesses, by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5:29-32 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

And great grace was upon them all.

1 John 5:9-12 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

2 Peter 1:16-18 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

If the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe, then a Church alive in the Holy Spirit should bear witness to that power and presence of the Son of God.

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Acts 4:1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Yes, much about the kingdom and God's (delegated) authority in those verses!

[steve morrow]

CALLED  TO  DO  

 

MARK 8:35  for whosoever will save his life --shall lose it-- but whosoever shall lose is life  --for  MY  sake --and--  THE  GOSPELS--  the same shall save it  --

 

LOVING  THE  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST 

[NConly]

2 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

Being conformed to the image of Jesus is our first Biblical priority and purpose, I would say, while dominion is a byproduct of maturing in how Jesus is and loves.

This was not known it was hidden til Jesus walked on earth

[Vine Abider]

2 hours ago, NConly said:

This was not known it was hidden til Jesus walked on earth

You responded to this attributing it to me: "Being conformed to the image of Jesus is our first Biblical priority and purpose, I would say, while dominion is a byproduct of maturing in how Jesus is and loves."

However @com7fy8 posted it.

[Vine Abider]

15 hours ago, com7fy8 said:

There is dominion that is included. 

"'Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.'" (Luke 10:20)

So, dominion over Satan is not the main thing. Plus, we have God's purpose >

"to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren," in Romans 8:29.

And we have various scriptures which help to minister this > for example, Colossians 1:28-29.

Being conformed to the image of Jesus is our first Biblical priority and purpose, I would say, while dominion is a byproduct of maturing in how Jesus is and loves.

Yes, being conformed to Christ's image is certainly a key thing! To put it in perspective, I think we need to look at Genesis 1:26 where image is first mentioned.  God said man was to be in His image and likeness and then man will have dominion over the earth.  No image of God - no dominion.

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Phil 3;14

[steve morrow]

---BUT--- 

 

MATTHEW 6:33  --BUT--seek you first--  the kingdom of  GOD  and  HIS  righteousness -- and all these things shall be added unto you --

 

LOVING  THE  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST

[NConly]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

You responded to this attributing it to me: "Being conformed to the image of Jesus is our first Biblical priority and purpose, I would say, while dominion is a byproduct of maturing in how Jesus is and loves."

However @com7fy8 posted it.

I seem to be making a mess of everything . Im sorry for my screwup

[DeighAnn]

On 6/10/2023 at 8:02 AM, Vine Abider said:

I'm musing about the ekklesia of Christ this morning and what His purpose is through us.

For us to go and preach in HIS name to all the nations starting in Jerusalem the REPENTANCE and REMISSION of sins.  

Basically, the New Covenant, being under Grace, and to whomsoever would and 

preach the gospel to every creature in all the world.  Those that BELIEVE and are BAPTIZED - saved,
those that refuse - damned.


And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

[com7fy8]

On 6/11/2023 at 10:31 AM, Vine Abider said:

The image and likeness is important, but looking at that verse it is for a purpose - having rule over the earth and all on it.

But Romans 8:29 says the purpose of being in Christ's image is "that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

But there will be dominion. 

But first is being family with Jesus. 

And I think of this > in the Lord's prayer of John chapter 17, we see plenty about how Jesus prays for us to be one and loved the way our Father loves His own Son, as family, I would understand from this. But I do not recall mention of dominion.

So, yes there will be dominion, but being in His image as family is primary.

[Vine Abider]

14 hours ago, DeighAnn said:

For us to go and preach in HIS name to all the nations starting in Jerusalem the REPENTANCE and REMISSION of sins.  

Basically, the New Covenant, being under Grace, and to whomsoever would and 

preach the gospel to every creature in all the world.  Those that BELIEVE and are BAPTIZED - saved,
those that refuse - damned.


And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Witnessing and salvation of souls is certainly a big part of plundering the kingdom of darkness!