"January 2012"

"Inside the Church"

In Ephesians 4:11-14, we see that Jesus gave the Body of Christ some Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers to furnish and complete the Body of Christ for the work of the Ministry, (a occupation of serving) !  And to instruments to build up that body!  So it would come into the unity of faith and knowledge of Jesus and mature into the measure and stature of the fullness of Christ... so the devil could not deceive and kick the Church around any longer.  But in Philippians 1:1 there are deacons mentioned as being along side the Bishops or overseers of the Church.  In I Timothy 3rd chapter the character of Deacon is described.  In Acts 6:3 we see the purpose of those deacons who were filled with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. They took care of the physical things of the Church so the Apostles could spend their time in prayer (seeking God) and being in the Word, to lead the Church the way the Holy Spirit directed.  And in 1 Corinthians 12:28 see God's order in His Church, first Apostles, second Prophets, thirdly Teachers, after that Miracles, gifts of Healing. ministries of Help, those with the gift of government or administration, and diversities of tongues (prayer language, tongues to be interpreted within a service), all to do be done in a spirit of spiritual love. But the key here is that everyone in the Body has an "occupation of service" to produce. A Job to do! So they need to get to it!  If someone is lazy they are also critical!