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Reaching for the Summit. Discovering God’s House. Discovering God’s Church. Discovering True Worship. Sessions. The Disciple’s Mandate The Church the Body God’s House in the Past The House Today Conditions of the House God’s Building Work. Church The Design of God’s Churches
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Reaching for the Summit
Discovering God’s House Discovering God’s Church Discovering True Worship
Sessions • The Disciple’s Mandate • The Church the Body • God’s House in the Past • The House Today • Conditions of the House • God’s Building Work • Church • The Design of God’s Churches • Keeping to the Pattern • Keeping to the Pattern (continued) • True Worship • Putting it into Practice
Session 1: The Disciple's Mandate
The 40 days' instruction “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Galilee Acts 1:1-3
The 40 days' instruction The Lord spent 40 days after His resurrection instructing His apostles. The kingdom of God These apostles were to play the pivotal role in the kingdom of God.
The "great commission" “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20
The "great commission" Making disciples includes baptizing them and teaching them. Commands of the Lord They were to teach them ALL things that He had commanded them. It was a complete doctrine. It was applicable for this whole dispensation of time (until His return). The apostles’ teaching (doctrine) The faith
The day of Pentecost “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”… “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:41,42
The day of Pentecost The response to Peter’s message, after the Holy Spirit had come, was a series of individual and then collective actions that resulted in two things existing: (a) the church the Body of Christ; and (b) the church of God in Jerusalem. We’re not told what the Lord taught, but we can deduce it from what happened thereafter. This set a pattern for what followed.
Molded by a Teaching “God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.” “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Romans 6:17; Jude v.3
Molded by a Teaching These things apply directly to us today; they are not just a historical account of the first century. These things apply directly to us today; they are not just a historical account of the first century What the Lord taught the apostles, and they taught to other disciples, became a “form” (mold).
FROM: one church in Jerusalem TO: a community of interdependent churches 1st century FROM: only Jewish disciples TO: all nationalities without distinction FROM: governance by the 12 apostles TO: collective governance by a united elderhood FROM: oral teaching, authenticated by miracles TO: the written New Testament scriptures FROM: the commands of the Lord TO: the apostles’ doctrine TO: “the faith” fully delivered
Falling away... (14 centuries) “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith” “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3,4
Falling away... The Remembrance – TO: “The Mass” Disciples’ baptism – TO: sprinkling infants The faith – TO: the 7 sacraments With Christ at death – TO: purgatory & worship of Mary United elderhood - TO: Pope & clergy Supremacy of scripture – TO: Bible banned Spiritual service – TO: crucifixes & relics
...& then recovery “As it is written, The just shall live by faith." Martin Luther “in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” Romans 1:17; 2 Timothy 2:20,21
Recovery Salvation by grace & faith – at the Reformation The absolute authority of Scripture – at the Reformation Disciples’ baptism by immersion (17th Century) examples “sola scriptura” Elderhood (presbytery) – 16th Century The Remembrance – 19th Century Evangelism – 19th Century
Today - 3 major assumptions 1. The house of God is the same as the church the Body of Christ 2. All churches of believers are scriptural churches of God 3. God comes down to us for our spiritual worship
The importance of unity “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” “…endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” “…till we all come to the unity of the faith” John 17:20,21; Ephesians 4:3,13
The importance of unity God is ‘one’ – He desires unity among His people It is not by compromise, but by common adherence to the faith It requires the work of the Holy Spirit
The place of God's Word “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” “You have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.” 2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 15:6
The importance of "the" • NKJV • “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” • “you are the the temple of God” • “you are the body of Christ” Original “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and the fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.” “you are temple of God” “you are body of Christ” Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:27
Are You a Disciple of Christ? “Jesus said… "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31,32
Reaching for the Summit Session 1: The Disciple's Mandate