Dr Atef 2005

1. Dr Atef 2005

2. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

3. Recap from Last Time • The need of the church to enter into a new depth in her love for Christ and her spiritual growth • The third mile – from Jesus conversation with Peter – “do you love me…” • We need to learn the different ways of worship that the Early Fathers used so that we will enter into these depths that we need.

4. Two Types of Worship… • Practiced by Early Fathers • Worship using the Book of Psalms and • Worship with Unveiled Face. • They complement each other… because there is a different food for each element – spirit, soul, mind etc, and the food for the spirit is the book of psalms

5. Book of Psalms • Inspired by the Holy Spirit and given to God’s people as a means to worship • -> needs to be used daily – like collecting manna in the wilderness – • Revives the spirit of the worshipper so they can enter into the second dimension which is prayer with unveiled face or prophetic prayer • Many biblical bases for use of psalms.

6. Fruits of this… • Being transformed into Christ likeness • Being filled with God’s mind “Unveiled face” is a reference to Moses needing a veil over his face. Normal daily life -> many veils come & cover our hearts without us being aware of this – when our spirits are revived and active and we worship with unveiled face we reflect the Lord’s glory and we are transformed.

7. The Church Today • Focusses on the mind and soul – we can discern problems with our mind when we are distracted and with our soul if we are anxious etc, but not good at discerning the state of our spirit - hence can spend years and not be transformed • Can blame personal circumstances or bad teaching when actually it is because we do not worship with unveiled face.

8. Role of the spirit • It is the strongest element in a man’s being so can control the soul and flesh - hence faces used to shine when spirit was filled with God’s glory. • Doesn’t happen now as we worship with mind & soul – God in His kindness meets us but the transformation is missed. • The spirit is the only element that can receive the reflection of God

9. Main Purpose of Worship • To make our spirits active & to make the veils fall • The devil tries to add veils to our spirits and evil influences are concentrated there -> our spirits become constricted and week and imprisoned – hence role of psalms very important • Child in Mauritania in 1990 – Jesus taught her psalms word for word

10. History of WadiNatroum • Home of the advanced worshippers (prayed the whole book of psalms daily – read scripture constantly & some memorised whole bible) -in south were the Bahoumic group (beginners recently called out of idol worship) • Angel appeared to Bahoum saying they needed an easier option & taught Agpia. • ½ book of psalms divided into 7 (vizPsalm 119:164)

11. Structure of Agpia • Psalms plus short prayers and scripture readings • Each prayer centred on an aspect of Christ’s salvation and the cross. Linked with the time of day - purpose is the cross – a well and the prayers are channels of varied grace during the day flowing from the cross – not legalistic. • A tool not an end in itself - important!

12. Holding a Cross • Every aspect of the Agpia had known significance – they liked to hold the book in 1 hand and a cross in the other as an expression of gratitude & love for the crucified one. • Also a reminder that they are crucified to the world and the world to them (Galatians 6:14)

13. Facing East • Not a legalistic requirement – but they liked to do this as Jesus is coming back from the East (Matthew 24:27) • A sense of protocol before the Angels and an expression that they are waiting for the return of the King.

14. Thanksgiving & Repentance • As an entrance to each hour of prayer. • Long sentence repeated in Thanksgiving was very significant as an expression of the priesthood of the believers over creation – first statement in 3rd person directed to creation/on behalf of creation and the second in the 1st person directed to Jesus on their own behalf.

15. Prostration Practised a lot for several reasons – 3 times before each prayer to the 3 members of the Trinity • Very biblical – eg Angels & the worship in Heaven in Revelation7:11 & 11:16 - John 4:23 correctly translated “bow” not “worship” • Isaiah 26:13 – a proclamation of the leadership of Christ leading to release. EF saw OT as a mirror of spiritual things in NT – hence practical

16. Self Deliverance • EF had very strong gifts of deliverance but used these rarely for v difficult situations - concerned that people could not sustain deliverance -> end up in a worse state. • -> advised disciples to pray psalms and prostrate a lot, -> other masters show themselves & are cast away. • A slower method, but privileges gained in Christ protect from further attack.

17. Prostration & Flesh • Romans 12:1 shows that flesh needs to take part in worship & prostration does this • Flesh is sanctified • Helps to restore the integration of the elements

18. Grace from Prostration • Romans 6:5 “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” • Bow – we are united with Him in death to sin • Stand – we are united in His resurrection • Expressing theological truths by faith • Also a mystical significance – that specific grace is imparted from Christ’s death and resurrection as we do this

19. Historically… • Nicene Council in 325 agreed that this was the general kind of prayer for all believers • In the Middle Ages the prayer became the focus leading to legalism • Well documented that Jews and Christians were practising this around 2nd Century AD • Islam started in 6th Century – probably copied practices that were common then.