So after writing my last blog I feel necessary to say a little more on this subject I last blogged about. To have a ministry of solid doctrinal teaching and the power of the supernatural is not just somewhat as I see happening over night. Its time consuming and careful discernment of truth as taught by God's Spirit and by God's Word. To neglect either I would say as I did in my last post is bad doctrine as is also to lift one as higher then the other.
All that said balance is good and necessary but in all honesty it will not always be there, but sometimes teaching will take the forefront and sometimes it will take the back seat to say a time of praying for healing or prophecy or serving people or feeding the needy. I don't claim to have it all figured out but I do know that if one is neglected we are either really messy or way to structured, both are hurtful for the Church and those we are wanting to know the God we worship.
I said that a ministry or life without the supernatural oriented and/or scripture oriented is like a body without bones. Its just not the way the Church is made to operate or live. Paul the apostle says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that "all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking and training in righteousness that the man of God may be fully equipped for every good work." The word "God-breathed" is where we understand the doctrine of insperation of the scriptures. Now the thing is Paul only had the teachings of the Law and such and these are what he was pointing to as he said of Timothy that he has "known the scared writing from childhood" (2 Tim. 3:15).
All that said we then see that Peter says of him and Paul also that their words are wisdom from God (2 Peter 3:15). I say all this cause I want to argue that we has possibly lifted the scripture so high that we've lowered the purpose and gift of God's Spirit. Now again I love studying and teaching scripture and see it as highly necessary but only when done properly and carefully for James says not many should become teachers are we are under "stricter judgment" (James 3:1).
1 Cor. 12 says "Now there are a variety or gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are a varieties of services but the same Lord and there are a varieties of activities but the same God who empowers them all in everyone" (4-6)...."Now to each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (7)...."All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills." (11). The Church of Corinth has issues and I see that in the manifestation and the practical we should and I hope we will heed Paul's warning of love needing to be in the midst of all we do as Christians, wether the practical or the spiritual.
We also see in Romans 12, 1 Peter 4 and Ephesians 4 that we have many other places along with John chapters 14-16 teaching about the NEED AND PLACEMENT of the Spirit of God within the Church (individually and corporately) and not just a subset within and/or to just be a seal for the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13-14) or the one to just inspire scripture but continually within the Church anointing, leading, empowering and illuminating people to greater depths of the gospel of God. I bring up both sides cause we need both in the Church because its for the common good; scripture and power.
All this said I hope we all look at this and seek the Lord for the glory of His name and the making of disciples.
All that said balance is good and necessary but in all honesty it will not always be there, but sometimes teaching will take the forefront and sometimes it will take the back seat to say a time of praying for healing or prophecy or serving people or feeding the needy. I don't claim to have it all figured out but I do know that if one is neglected we are either really messy or way to structured, both are hurtful for the Church and those we are wanting to know the God we worship.
I said that a ministry or life without the supernatural oriented and/or scripture oriented is like a body without bones. Its just not the way the Church is made to operate or live. Paul the apostle says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that "all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking and training in righteousness that the man of God may be fully equipped for every good work." The word "God-breathed" is where we understand the doctrine of insperation of the scriptures. Now the thing is Paul only had the teachings of the Law and such and these are what he was pointing to as he said of Timothy that he has "known the scared writing from childhood" (2 Tim. 3:15).
All that said we then see that Peter says of him and Paul also that their words are wisdom from God (2 Peter 3:15). I say all this cause I want to argue that we has possibly lifted the scripture so high that we've lowered the purpose and gift of God's Spirit. Now again I love studying and teaching scripture and see it as highly necessary but only when done properly and carefully for James says not many should become teachers are we are under "stricter judgment" (James 3:1).
1 Cor. 12 says "Now there are a variety or gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are a varieties of services but the same Lord and there are a varieties of activities but the same God who empowers them all in everyone" (4-6)...."Now to each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (7)...."All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills." (11). The Church of Corinth has issues and I see that in the manifestation and the practical we should and I hope we will heed Paul's warning of love needing to be in the midst of all we do as Christians, wether the practical or the spiritual.
We also see in Romans 12, 1 Peter 4 and Ephesians 4 that we have many other places along with John chapters 14-16 teaching about the NEED AND PLACEMENT of the Spirit of God within the Church (individually and corporately) and not just a subset within and/or to just be a seal for the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13-14) or the one to just inspire scripture but continually within the Church anointing, leading, empowering and illuminating people to greater depths of the gospel of God. I bring up both sides cause we need both in the Church because its for the common good; scripture and power.
All this said I hope we all look at this and seek the Lord for the glory of His name and the making of disciples.
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