If you were Jesus and realized that you were going to leave the earth and return into the heavens, surely you would have made arrangements with those who were going to carry on your work and establish your church. It would seem to us, naturally and religiously speaking, that after His resurrection, when the Lord Jesus planned a special meeting with His chosen apostles on a mountain in Galilee, that meeting would have been a very long meeting filled with much teaching and many detailed instructions. We know hat He was shortly to ascend into heaven, and how logical it would be foe Him to seize this opportunity to pass on many counsels, directions, recommendations, directives, guidelines, and regulations for His disciples to follow after His departure. Surely He would dictate to them creeds, doctrinal statements, liturgies, how to organize local churches, methods for ordaining elders and selecting deacons, with specifics about church finance, church programs, delegated authority and the chain of command in the assemblies. One would think the Lord would need to schedule a three week work-shop with His disciples. But to our amazement, instead of a three week work-shop He appears but briefly, and delivers an 88 word memo! And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. All power is given 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 Ghost: 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. (Luke 24: 49, Matt. 28:18 - 20). That was the first conference after the resurrection of Christ, and the only one that related to the future church agenda! The Lord Jesus was so simple. He wasnt concerned about external things and outward structure - He was only concerned that they be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit! There was no need for Him to tell them so many things, or give them a book on theology, a ministers manual, or a church discipline. There was only the need for them to possess the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, and to be led by the Spirit. Point is....the anointing or the indwelling Spirit is sufficient....always has been and always will be!! But the church in its zeal to do something....has added countless programs, rites, rituals, traditions. committees, titles, offices, and much much more...to what result!!! Take care and blessings!!
Posted on: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:57:42 +0000
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