Tag: discipleship

Chapter 92: The Priesthood of the Believer

foundations

One of the great errors that has crossed over from the old covenant into the new is the idea of a clergy-laity divide that limits ministry to the ordained clergy. The Protestant Reformation addressed many of the doctrinal errors and abuses of Roman Catholicism, among which was the establishment of an ordained priesthood, whose were privileged to offer the “unbloody” sacrifice of the Mass, forgive sins on behalf of Christ, transform bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Christ, and otherwise act in mediatorial ways between God and the people. I have written more about the heresies connected to Roman Catholicism in another series of articles. For now, we will focus on the priesthood.

The Reformation reestablished the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer, which teaches that, after Christ fulfilled the priestly duties of Aaron’s line, all believers share in the priestly ministry of the new covenant.

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”  Revelation 5:9–10 (NASB95)

Jesus is the one and only mediator between God and humans (1 Timothy 25). No longer is there a need for old covenant like priests to act in this regard. After Jesus died on the cross to secure forgiveness for us, the massive curtain in the temple, which prevented God’s Holy of Holies from being accessed, was supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom (Mark 15:38), signifying that all believers all can now approach God directly.  

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Hebrews 10:19–22 (NKJV)

Before, only the high priest had such access only once a year on the Day of Atonement.

In the New Covenant God has given us priestly duties to offer specific sacrifices and to go before God in prayer for others. These New Covenant sacrifices include the sacrifice of praise, doing good, and sharing. (Hebrews 13:15-16) We can also offer our own bodies in service to God as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1) The bloody sacrifice of animals is forever finished because their purpose was to point to Christ’s perfect once-for-all-time sacrifice. Once our Lord accomplished that, the need for the shadow came to an end. This is one reason God saw to it that the temple was destroyed in 70 AD.

Grace and forgiveness come directly to us from Christ via the Holy Spirit. We have no need for human mediators any longer.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,  2 Peter 1:2–3 (NKJV)

In Old Covenant times, those called to the “ministry,” priests and Levites, were born into their roles and held their position or status exclusively. Commoners or laity were not allowed to participate by law. In the New Covenant, all believers are born into the priesthood of the believer.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God... 1 John 5:1a (NKJV)

Those who are uniquely called to the “five-fold ministry” – apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher, are responsible to equip the rest of the church to do the work of ministry.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.  Ephesians 4:11–12 (NLT)

God wants New Covenant ministers to have the attitude of John the Baptist, who was willing for his own ministry to recede in order for Christ’s to expand.

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.  John 3:30 (NLT)

God wants us to have the point of view expressed by Paul in his letter to the church in Philippi when he exhorted them to consider others more important than themselves.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.  Philippians 2:3–4 (NLT)

Jesus described ministry in the New Covenant as humble service to others.

Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.  Matthew 23:10–12 (NASB95)

It is true that God calls some to function in leadership and ministry roles, but it is never for self-aggrandizement or to secure an enduring position. Rather, we are to invest ourselves in others so they can become all that God desires. Then we are to release them and move on to discipling others.

Paul made this clear in his description of the five-fold ministry.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.  Ephesians 4:11–16 (NLT)

Each of these ministries is to impart to the church what God has given to them. Success is when the church becomes apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, pastoral, and competent to teach God’s Word.

Whatever God has given to us, we are to reproduce in others.

Disciples are the basic building blocks of the kingdom of God, “living stones” that the Holy Spirit builds into a fitting “house” or temple for God. Jesus called us to make disciples. When disciples are made, churches are sure to follow.

When churches are planted without disciple-making being the top priority, we miss the mark.

The church is not a building. It is a living, moving “body,” which has the capability to reproduce itself at the discipleship level. Disciples are living beings, who have the ability, through the Spirit, to multiply themselves. In fact, that is our primary responsibility. Just as God commanded Adam and Eve, and afterwards Noah and his descendants, to multiply and fill the earth, so Christ mandated the church to “go and make disciples.”

Making disciples is our mission given by God, which supersedes every other sub-mission that the local church may adopt along the way.

The question facing every missional church, then, is how are we to teach, train, and equip disciples who will go and make other disciples? What vision, information, understanding, wisdom, and ministry skills need to be imparted to them that will enable them to become effective disciple makers?

It is part of the human condition for those in leadership to carve out a secure niche for themselves, and it is convenient for the rest of us to consign ministry responsibilities to the clergy instead of accepting our own role as ministers.

The best way a church can effectively multiply disciples is by acknowledging and promoting every disciple’s duty to be a representative or minister of Christ in his or her own right.

This does not mean that everyone is part of the five-fold ministry. Rather, the job of the five-fold ministry is to equip the rest of the church to do the work of the ministry. Just as parents train their children to be responsible adults with their own families; so, we are to prepare disciples who will take responsibility to serve others.

In other words, those in five-fold ministry are increasingly successful as they move more to a coaching role, allowing their disciples to take on more and more responsibility.

In my experience, a small percentage of senior ministers make the commitment to do this. We convince ourselves that without extensive formal Bible training, people are not to be trusted with the Scriptures. We set the bar higher than did our Lord, who turned over the church to men with whom he had spent three years training, but who still did not understand many basic things. The “seminary trained” Pharisees criticized these disciples, as well as Jesus himself, for being “unlearned” men. Jesus knew that the Holy Spirit is a more than adequate on the job instructor.

Disciple-making churches are willing to give “average” people ministry and leadership responsibilities and make the commitment to stand with them as they get “on the job” training from God.

Any gospel movement that rapidly expands must think this way.

The genius of the Great Awakening in the Carolinas, where I live, was the willingness of church leaders, such as Shubal Stearns with Sandy Creek Separate Baptist Church, to equip and commission average people to be preachers, ministers, and leaders, trusting the Holy Spirit to develop them along the way. This is no small thing. It takes a radical commitment to the priesthood of all believers to properly develop and launch disciples and to be an effective disciple-making church.

The other side of the coin is that “average” people must be willing to accept the responsibility to lead and minister.

It is far easier for us to accept the clergy-laity divide because it divests the rest of the church from stepping up their responsibility to serve the church. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit still calls people to ministry and leadership. Perhaps many are simply waiting for someone to invite them to be discipled. Jesus took the initiative to call the ones he chose for development. We who are already in leadership and ministry roles should ask the Holy Spirit to show us who to invite.

Many people do not consider themselves to be adequate to be in ministry, which is why they need encouragement from someone who sees their potential.

This gift of encouragement was found in Barnabas, who was responsible for seeking out Paul and inviting him to take on greater ministry responsibilities. Just as in the case of John the Baptist, Barnabas was willing for Paul to become the main leader in their joint ministry. He eventually moved on to developing another young man named John Mark, who would eventually write his Gospel. Paul learned from Barnabas how to develop people. He called young men to join him, such as Timothy, whom he discipled and launched into ministry. This chain of disciple making has never been broken. Let’s do our part to keep it going.

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Chapter 91: The Laying on of Hands in Ordination and Ministry

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The laying on of hands is one of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, which indicates its importance doctrinally and practically. The Lords wants us to thoroughly understand its meaning and application.

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.  Hebrews 6:1–3 (NKJV)

In ordination, laying on of hands can impart spiritual gifts, grace, and authority. It also symbolizes an identification or union between the minister and the one upon whom hands are laid. The one receiving the ministry may also act as a substitute for the one or ones doing the laying on of hands.

Identification and Substitution Relating to Christ’s Sacrificial Death

As an example of identification and substitution, in the Old Testament, offerers laid their hands upon the animals they brought to be sacrificed by the priests, thereby symbolically imparting their sins and offenses against God to the animal, which died in their place. A good example of this is when the “escape” goat was released into the wilderness bearing Israel’s sins. May believe this foreshadowed our Lord carrying our sins into hell after his crucifixion.

21 Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. 22 The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.  Leviticus 16:21–22 (NKJV)

When Jesus the Lamb of God was crucified, God placed our sins on him. He was completely identified with us and our sin. When he died, we died. Since he paid the penalty for our sins, so did we because we were in him. There can be no double jeopardy in God’s justice system.

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:5–11 (NKJV)

Jesus also acted as our substitute by dying in our place. Because God the Father accepted his offering on our behalf, we received the gift of his right standing with God (justification) through identification or union with Christ.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB95)

We were placed “in” Christ so that when he died, so did we. When he rose, we did, too.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.  2 Corinthians 5:14–15 (NASB95)

The identification/substitution aspect of the laying on of hands must be understood if we are to grasp the nature of the finished work of Christ on our behalf, but it also relates to ordination into ministry and the impartation of gifts and blessings.  

Identification and Substitution Regarding Ordination to Ministry

In the Old Testament, every firstborn son belonged to the Lord. Instead of requiring them to enter service to the Lord’s tabernacle, God set apart men from the tribe of Levi to substitute for the first born.

Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. 15 “Then after that the Levites may go in to serve the tent of meeting. But you shall cleanse them and present them as a wave offering; 16 for they are wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself instead of every first issue of the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel.  Numbers 8:14–16 (NASB95)


God used the laying on of hands to symbolize, formalize, and communicate the grace needed for the Levites to carry out this service.

and present the Levites before the Lord; and the sons of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites. 11 “Aaron then shall present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the sons of Israel, that they may qualify to perform the service of the Lord.  Numbers 8:10–11 (NASB95)

This concept carries over into the New Testament. When the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to take the gospel to foreign lands, the leaders of the church recognized this calling by laying hands upon the two.

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.  Acts 13:2–3 (NLT)

By so doing, they sent Paul and Barnabas out as representatives of the local church at Antioch. They also acted as substitutes for the rest of the church, since the entire church was called to spread the good news. The church got behind them in prayer and financial support. In addition, blessings and grace were imparted. They committed these men to the grace of God, just as Paul did later when he ordained elders through the laying on of hands.

Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.  Acts 14:23–25 (NLT)

Although the laying on of hands is not specifically mentioned, I believe we can assume that they did so. Grace is communicated at the time of ordination.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.  1 Timothy 4:14 (NLT)

When we ordain someone, it does not transform them on the inside into new people. Rather, governmental leaders should only ordain those in whom God has already been at work preparing them for ministry. The Lord should have already made clear that he has appointed them to the work.

We lay hands upon those whom God has already laid his hand upon.  

In addition, the laying on of hands does not impart character, only grace and gifting for ministry. Character is an inner ongoing work of the Spirit of God and is vital in the life of anyone ordained to ministry.

God’s gifts and the pressures of ministry can only flourish without crushing us over time if we have a strong foundation of godly character.

Once we ordain someone, they become formally identified with us. Therefore, we should be careful to only ordain proven people. Otherwise, we may become identified with their failures and sin. The reputation of God’s church is at stake.

Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.  1 Timothy 5:22 (NET)

When hands are laid on individuals to ordain them to governmental ministry, authority is conveyed to them by those in authority.

Then Moses said to the Lord, 16 “O Lord, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. 17 Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” 18 The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. 19 Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people. 20 Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him.  Numbers 27:15–20 (NLT)

God gives grace and authority to those to whom he gives responsibility.

Responsibility without authority is an exercise in frustration. Authority without responsibility is an ego trip.

Laying on of Hands to Impart Blessings and Spiritual Gifts

The laying on of hands is also used to impart blessings outside of ordination. Jesus laid his hands on children to bless them.

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.  Matthew 19:13–15 (NLT)

It should be our practice to lay hands on people, with their permission, to bless them and pray for them. We never know what God may communicate to them through this gesture. He may impart healing, a miracle, or a sensation of his presence. The baptism in the Spirit is often imparted through laying our hands upon people and praying for them.

As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.  Acts 8:15–17 (NLT)

Jesus laid his hands upon the sick as part of communicating healing to them and setting them free from demonic oppression.

While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. 41 Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.  Luke 4:40–41 (NASB95)

…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  Mark 16:18b (NKJV)

Some people teach that we should not cast out demons by laying on of hands because the demon might enter us, but that is not scriptural. We are protected from demonization by the Lord, unless we open a door by deliberate sin. Often sick people are afflicted by demons, and sometimes it is difficult to discern if the sickness comes from natural or demonic sources. When we lay hands upon the sick, we may find that people are delivered, as seemed to happen when Jesus prayed for the sick and laid hands on them. Generally, we should simply cast them out with a command in Jesus’ name.

Conclusion

In summary, the laying on of hands is one of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. It carries with it the idea of substitution and identification. Blessings are imparted, responsibility given, and authority communicated. Even those who do not have roles of responsibility and authority in the church can practice the laying on of hands in prayer, blessing, healing, and casting out evil spirits. I believe that the laying on of hands is underutilized by the church as an evangelistic tool. Many people will allow us to pray for them, even if they are not currently open to the gospel. Once we pray and lay hands upon people to bless them, we cross over an unseen barrier that allows us to talk more freely with them about spiritual things in the future.

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Chapter 90: What Defines a Local Church?

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Sometimes it is helpful to be able to define what is a local church, especially in the context of rapidly expanding church planting operations that sometimes take place in areas where the Holy Spirit is gathering a mass harvest of souls. The following is my attempt to do just that.

Jesus said that where two are three are gathered in his name, he is with them.

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”  Matthew 18: 20 (NLT)

Our Lord could have chosen any number, such as ten or twenty, but he chose two or three. He made it clear that small groups are a valid expression of the church. We should not think that only larger churches are legitimate models of church life and ministry. Jesus deliberately emphasized smallness. Not surprisingly, most churches are small, especially in areas of persecution.

However, the greater point he made was that his presence will be where people gather in his name.

The first defining characteristic of a local church is the presence of the Lord.

Paul said that our gatherings should allow for the Holy Spirit to direct ministry.

Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.  1 Corinthians 14:26 (NLT)

From this passage, we understand that a gathering of disciples should include worship, Bible teaching, the gifts of the Spirit, and sharing what God is revealing to various individuals. The goal behind these expressions of Christ’s ministry is to strengthen his people. We are only able to give away to others what we have. Unless the church is strong in the Lord, it will have nothing with which to assist those who are struggling.

The second defining characteristic of a local church is Spirit-led ministry that builds up the people of the church.

The members of the church are referred to by our Lord as sheep. All sheep need a shepherd, which is why God assigns some with the responsibility of watching over the flock.

So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.  Acts 20:28 (NLT)

Therefore, another defining characteristic of a local church is the governmental and pastoral ministry of elders or shepherds, even if they are called by another name.

These shepherds feed and protect God’s people under the guidance and direction of the “Chief Shepherd,” our Lord Jesus.

And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  1 Peter 5:1–5 (NLT)

In a healthy church, the congregation will honor, respect, and follow those God has raised up to shepherd them. Part of their responsibility is to discipline the sheep when needed.

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  2 Timothy 4:1–2 (NASB95)

A healthy church will maintain proper church discipline that reflects the love and authority of the Lord, not heavy-handed manipulation and control.

Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.  2 Corinthians 1:23–24 (NLT)

Jesus left us with two ordinances which should be carried out by the local church: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  

He did not give us specifics regarding the exact way these ordinances should be carried out. I believe that water baptism should be done as soon after conversion as possible. Different churches have various ways they do communion. The important thing is for the local church to faithfully carry these out.

The local church is where the Word of God is taught, the gifts of the Spirit operate, worship takes place, disciples made, the saints affirmed, equipped, and encouraged, the ordinances of baptism and communion are observed, prayer and personal ministry takes place, financial assistance is offered when needed, discipline is administered as necessary, and people find love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Some Helpful Analogies

It can be beneficial to think of the church in terms of a family, a train, a hospital, a boot camp, and a missional team. None of these are perfect but can give us insight into the nature of the church.

The Body of Christ

One of the best-known word pictures of the church is the body of Christ. This analogy provides us with two important truths regarding God’s people. The body is an integrated whole consisting of a wide variety of parts. Some of the parts are considered “vital” in that we cannot live without them. Others are extremely important to us, but we can live without them. No part of our body is despised or considered worthless.

Therefore, the analogy of the body of Christ teaches us that every person is important in the kingdom of God and should be treated as such.

A vital organ such as the head or heart may have a sense of superiority over a hand or foot, since a body can live without the latter two, but not without the first two. Nevertheless, a handless or footless body will experience a noticeable decline in quality of life and perhaps even die because of a lack of ability to provide for itself.

Every part of the body should strive to acknowledge and honor every other part.

The second truth associated with the body analogy is that the church is able to move and accomplish much as a living organism. Our being alive not only makes great things possible, it also introduces problems. Living organisms make choices and sometimes have issues with one another. The church as a body introduces the challenge of getting along with one another.

The Church as a Building

The church is also pictured as a building, the temple of God constructed by the Spirit to house the presence of the Lord here on earth.

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.  Ephesians 2:19–22 (NKJV)

The apostle Peter called the church “living stones.”

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV)

Buildings are firmly immovable and solid, as opposed to mobile easily fractured assemblies of people engaged in activities that have the potential to increase friction among members.

The analogy of the building reminds us that we are cemented or glued together in love by the Spirit of God. The only thing that muddies this picture is the fact that the stones are alive and may decide to disconnect and move away from their places in the structure. This contributes to the challenge of watching over the flock.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  Colossians 3:14 (NLT)

When we are tempted to divide from others because of strife or offense, it is helpful to remind ourselves that we are a firmly secured immovable building.

If we couple the idea of the church being a moving dynamic body with that of it being a firmly secured and solid assembly of “living stones,” it will give us a more balanced understanding.

The Bride of Christ

The church as a bride is another very familiar analogy. Men readily understand Christ’s perspective of loving and wishing to protect and provide for his bride, while waiting in eager expectation for the wedding to take place. Women better understand the feminine side of things, being cherished and honored as the bride.

This analogy readily morphs into thinking of ourselves as the “wife” of Christ, as Paul describes the church in Ephesians Chapter 5 and Romans Chapter 7.

In the Ephesians passage, Paul encourages men to sacrificially love their wives as Christ loves the church and wives to honor their husbands as to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22-25) This shows us how to apply spiritual principles to practical relationships in marriage and in the church. Paul wrote that we should honor one another above ourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

The church as Christ’s bride also refers to fruitfulness.

Just as a husband and wife naturally produce children if everything is functioning properly and no steps are being taken to prevent conception, so our love relationship with Christ will produce good fruit spiritually.

Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.  Romans 7:4 (NKJV)

Fruit bearing, while being extremely important for the continuance of the church and humanity, is not the primary reason for marriage. God’s stated purpose for marriage in the beginning was to provide someone to relieve Adam’s loneliness.

Marriage is first a covenant of companionship and secondarily a means to propagate humanity. Likewise, Christ’s love relationship with the church is primary and making disciples comes in second. Both are important, but we always want to keep first things first.

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Revelation 2:4 (NKJV)

The Bible makes it clear that God often chose barren women to further his kingdom purposes. The husbands of those women were faithful to them, despite their lack of fruitfulness. Eventually they bore miracle children. There is a spiritual lesson here. We do not abandon churches that seem to be barren. We keep loving and believing God to produce fruit in his way and time. We never want to emulate King Henry VIII who either divorced or killed several wives in search of a male heir. Instead, let’s be like Isaac who believed for Rebecca to have children.

Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.  Genesis 25:21 (NKJV)

 

A Family of Friends

I have sometimes described the church over the years as a family of friends doing life together. Families have “blood” ties that go beyond merely liking or disliking one another. Families generally try to be there for each other when things are difficult. Friends, on the other hand, are mutually attracted to one another and genuinely enjoy one another. When family members are true friends, it is a strong bond.

Ideally, the local church is a group of unlikely people drawn together by our mutual devotion to the Lord. We are bonded and made into a family through the new birth and by the shared presence of the Spirit in our lives. We grow to love and appreciate one another and strive to be faithful friends as we share life together, which always includes encountering difficulties along the way.

Local churches ideally provide us with a loving family of friends to support and love us as we live out our days.

One of the primary purposes for marriage is to have children, to be fruitful and multiply. When God blesses a couple with offspring, they care for them, teach them how to be self-governing successful adults, and launch them to start their own families. This is a model of discipleship. A successful parent encourages his children to leave home at the appropriate time and recreate what they experienced in their parents’ home.

Churches are meant to train and equip their people and launch them to start new families of friends.

A Train

In our country people do not ride trains very often, but we understand how they operate. Perhaps we can think of shuttles that carry people to various terminals at some of our larger airports, or buses operating in or between cities. These conveyances run routes to specific destinations. We board whichever one we think we get us where we need to be.

People join a church because they think it is going to take them where they want to go.

Interestingly, some people join a church to try to commandeer it to go to their preferred destination. They generally remain only if they get their way; otherwise they move on. One pastor friend of mine told me he tells such people, “Remember, you joined us. We didn’t join you.”

I tell people who are looking for a church or wondering if they need to move on to keep four things in mind.

  1. We should join or remain in a local church that holds to solid Bible doctrine and teaching. This does not mean we have to completely agree with every point, but we should not differ in any significant core doctrine.
  2. We should feel that the leadership of the church is trustworthy and that we can follow their lead.
  3. We should be able to embrace the vision of the church. This means that whatever expression of Christ’s mission the church highlights should be something we can support, even if we are not directly involved.
  4. We should have a sense of the Holy Spirit directing our steps.

The train analogy relates to the third point above. We board a train to get to a destination. The vision of the church is the destination. If we wish to pursue a local church’s vision, we should get on their train. However, sometimes our personal vision may change. God may begin to lead us in a new direction. In other cases, the church’s vision may change, the leaders start taking its people to a new destination with which we may not align. In such cases, we should not get mad at the train for not taking us where we want to go. Instead, it may be time to change trains.

Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?  Amos 3:3 (NLT)

At every stop along the way, people get off the train, having reached their destination or a place to switch trains. People also choose to board the train because they want to go where the train is going. People should be allowed to freely board the train and freely get off. If the people preparing to board see that the train will not let those wanting to deboard get off, it should be a major “red flag.” We never want to board a train that does not let people get off; neither should we join a church that tries to stop people from leaving.

Churches should probably make it easier for people to leave than to join.

It is counterproductive to attack people who want to leave. Let them depart with a blessing, if possible.

It is better for us to leave on good terms than to stay past the “expiration date” and depart in anger or frustration.

If we wait too long, the latter is likely to happen. While “church hopping” is never a good thing, staying put when we are frustrated might be worse. Our discontent will likely begin to affect others, and we should try never be a negative influence.

I remember several years ago that a certain man wanted to join our church. I met with him to discuss the matter. During the conversation, I discovered that he had been a part of a huge number of churches in our area over the years, only to find some fault with each of them and move on. I told him we did not want to become another short-term stay and told him I did not think he should join us.

When people leave a church, especially when they have been a part for a long time, it creates a “hole,” so to speak. We build relationships in our local church, and if we leave it may create hurt and confusion among some of the other members. They may wonder why we left. What was wrong? Is there a problem in the church that I don’t know about? We should understand this and not take leaving a church lightly. However, if we need to leave, we should do it the right way. We should inform the leadership of our decision and hopefully part with a blessing from the church.

Churches do well to accept that sometimes people need or want to move and try to bless them on their way.

However, if people leave because they are in rebellion or sin and refuse to be corrected, that is another matter altogether.

A Hospital

A hospital is a place where very sick people go to get better. In some cases, they may need to stay quite a while, especially if rehab is needed, but it is never our goal to make the hospital our permanent home. That is, unless we are part of the staff.

If we think of the church as a hospital, we understand the some are part of the staff and others come for a while, get better, and then leave.

When they leave, we are glad for them, not resentful. Those who are part of the staff understand the bed space needs to be opened so that new hurting people can benefit from their services.

Boot Camp

If we think of the church as a boot camp, we understand that we are preparing soldiers to be launched into combat. We try to prepare and equip them to be successful. About the time that the drill sergeant whips his men into shape, it is time for them to leave.

The purpose of boot camp is to prepare men for battle and send them out, and then repeat the process.

Churches are disciple training centers. Our job is to prepare and equip people to go and make disciples. We are to equip and launch. If boot camps try to retain those they train, they violate their mission and purpose.

Missional Team

The great commission is the stated purpose of the church. Every local church is commissioned to prepare and encourage its members to pursue the great commission in an appropriate manner, realizing that there is great diversity in how this is done. The church can support its members in the way they do this. When people serve together on mission, it can develop something missiologists call “communitas,” a deep bond of friendship and loyalty, similar to what men in combat experience.

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Chapter 89: Overview of the Church

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Jesus established his church before he ascended to heaven. The Greek word translated church is ekklesia. Literally it means “called out ones.” In ancient Greece, ekklesias were political gatherings at which decisions were made and laws passed. The Romans later used the word to describe gatherings of citizens called together by political leaders called consuls.

The New Testament used the word ekklesia to describe gatherings of believers.

The word was never used for buildings until around 200 AD. The Jewish word that had an equivalence would have been synagogue.

There are local and universal aspects to the church.

When we are born again, we become part of the universal church. We are seated with Christ in heaven and included in the vast army of believers, both past and present.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.  1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB95)

No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.  Hebrews 12:22–24 (NLT)

On earth, Paul taught that the church is the “body of Christ.”

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower every believer individually and the church corporately. Jesus’ resurrected body is now seated in heaven on God’s throne. The church gives our Lord a body through which to operate on the earth in the physical realm, just as Jesus did during his public ministry.

Paul wrote about believers “clothing” themselves with Christ.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  Galatians 3:27 (NASB95)

When we do this, the Holy Spirit can operate through us without hindrance. Properly fitting clothes allow freedom of movement.

There are three Old Covenant examples of the Spirit of God clothing himself with individuals. Each of them was highly significant. In each case, I think it is reasonable to assume that the Spirit fully expressed himself through that person.

The Spirit clothed himself with Gideon, which enabled him to lead his small army to victory over seemingly insurmountable odds.

Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him.  Judges 6:34 (NLT)

He also “clothed himself” with Amasai, a leader who defected to David during Saul’s reign. The Spirit of God enabled him to prophesy over David.

Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the leader of the Thirty, and he said, “We are yours, David! We are on your side, son of Jesse. Peace and prosperity be with you, and success to all who help you, for your God is the one who helps you.” So David let them join him, and he made them officers over his troops.  1 Chronicles 12:18 (NLT)

Lastly, he clothed himself with Zechariah the prophet making him a bold witness prior to his martyrdom.

Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the Lord, and now he has abandoned you!”  2 Chronicles 24:20 (NLT)

Today the Holy Spirit clothes himself with the church to carry out Christ’s desires on the earth.

God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.  Ephesians 1:22–23 (NLT)

As Christ’s body, we are to speak and act for him. Although the Spirit of God can interact personally with people who are not yet part of the church, as he did with Saul leading to his conversion on the road to Damascus, usually he employs the church to be his witnesses by sharing the gospel, doing ministry including signs and wonders, and loving people sacrificially.

On a local level, the body of Christ has many parts, just as does a human body, and each part has a different yet vital role to play.

But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body.  1 Corinthians 12:18–20 (NASB95)

The church reflects the person and ministry of Christ. As individuals, we have a role to play in making up the entire ministry of Christ on the earth.

There are governmental roles in the church, speaking ministries, and other areas of serving.

God assigns us our particular function, and part of the challenge is to figure out how we fit.

Governmental roles are primarily found in the eldership who have the responsibility to shepherd or oversee the local assembly.

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.  1 Timothy 5:17 (NASB95)

The Greek word translated “rule” is prohistemi, which means to preside over, govern, protect, and care for. Elders are to watch over the members of the Ekklesia to protect them from “wolves” and false doctrine. They are responsible for leading the church under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Part of their role is to minister the Word of God to the people. This does not necessarily mean that they are gifted speakers, but they should be proficient in the scriptures and competent to exhort and counsel people.

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,  1 Timothy 3:2 (NASB95)

One elder will usually emerge as what some call the “lead” elder. He will have a gift of leadership, which enables him to be the “first among equals.”

God always provides leadership, without which any group will drift and lack cohesion.

In our area, a lead elder is usually called the “pastor,” but this person might be one of the other translocal ministries.

Translocal roles include what some call the “five-fold” or “ascension gift” ministries: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.

Whereas elders are only elders to their own local church, translocal ministries can be effective across the larger body of Christ. When they are asked to minister outside of their own assembly, it is should always be with the permission and oversight of the local eldership. Translocal ministries usually have a God-given governmental or leadership component, which might enable them to function as a lead elder in a local assembly.

Paul lists a variety of gifts found in local churches.

And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.  1 Corinthians 12:28 (NASB95)

This is not an exhaustive list, but it includes some major gifts God gives to the local assembly and the church at large. Another listing provides us with what some people call motivational gifts. These are part of people’s general make up.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.  Romans 12:6–8 (NLT)

In addition, we have what are called the “gifts of the Spirit,” which are listed in Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth.

There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.  1 Corinthians 12:6–14 (NASB95)

People in the ekklesia will also have various “passions” which motivate them to service. These are the concerns or areas of ministry that capture our hearts.

Discovering what roles God has given to each of us requires us to examine what is our passion, our calling, our motivational gifts, spiritual gifts, and any governmental equipping God may have given to us.

Often, we need help from others to recognize what God has given to us or called us to do. This is where we can benefit from those in oversight and those who operate in spiritual gifts.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.  1 Timothy 4:14 (NLT)

The church’s primary task is to make disciples. (Matthew 28:18)

This responsibility is carried out one-on-one, one-on-a few, and congregationally. It involves far more than simply instructing or teaching. We are to follow Jesus’ example. He taught, demonstrated, empowered others to do the same, and then gave feedback. Eventually he launched them into their own ministries, in which they depended on the Holy Spirit.

Discipleship is more caught than taught.

But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.  2 Timothy 3:10–11 (NLT)

For this to happen, we must spend time with those whom we disciple. It cannot be done only at congregational meetings or Bible studies. The goal of discipleship is to reproduce ourselves in others and launch them into their own ministries. Small groups tend to work well to help this along.

The church is God’s plan to reach and disciple the world.

Every person in the church should be involved at some level, either as a disciple or a disciple-maker, or both. This means people need to be regular participants in church gatherings. People who try to fly solo may find themselves unprotected against the enemy and robbed of what they could have gained from others. Likewise, the church will suffer by their not being there to do their part.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
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Joab: Undone by Looking Out for Number One

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Joab was one of the more interesting people who figured prominently in David’s kingdom. Joab was a son of Zeruiah, King David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:13–17), and was therefore one of David’s nephews. Joab’s brothers, Abishai and Asahel, were two of David’s mighty men. Joab earned the position of general of David’s armies during the battle for Jerusalem. How he became general provides a valuable insight into Joab’s subsequent behavior and eventual downfall.

King David became king after being selected and anointed for that position by God through the prophet Samuel. When King Saul understood that God was raising up David to be his replacement, instead of cooperating with the plan of God, he made it his mission to murder David. Very importantly, David steadfastly refused to take matters into his own hands, even though he had more than one opportunity to kill Saul, his adversary.

David understood that coming against God’s appointed authority never ends well.

Once when Saul entered the cave in which David was hiding, his men urged him to kill the king, saying:

“Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the LORD is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe. 5  But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. 6  “The LORD knows I shouldn’t have done that to my lord the king,” he said to his men. “The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king and attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.” 7  So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way, 1 Samuel 24:4-7 (NLT)

Instead, he waited patiently for God to remove Saul and place him into position as the king. All this is found in First and Second Samuel.

Joab’s ascension to power came very differently, however. In the heat of battle for Jerusalem, David made the following unfortunate promise. He announced that the first to go up and strike the Jebusites would become the leader of his army. (1 Chronicles 11:4–9) Joab fulfilled the requirement and became general. He earned his position; whereas, David received his position as a gift from God. Looking back with 20-20 hindsight, we can see that David should have asked God who should be his commander; nevertheless, the Lord worked through Joab’s generalship for David’s good for the most part, with a few notable exceptions.

The principle we derive from this part of Joab’s story is that how we achieve our position is how we must seek to maintain it. Joab became general through his own efforts, and that is how he sought to preserve it for the rest of his life. Since Joab did not receive his generalship as a gift from God, he had no confidence that God would preserve him in that position. He thought that he must always look out for himself first.

What we receive from God as a gift, we can trust him to keep for us. What we achieve through our own efforts, we must preserve that way.

Looking out for old number one never ends well.

If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. Luke 17:33 (NLT)

Joab generally served David well as general. He won many victories and usually proved to be very loyal to David. He realized that David was his ticket to success.

As long as upholding David resulted in his own position being preserved, he was steadfastly loyal; but, when his position was threatened, he took matters into his own hands, revealing a lack of confidence in God.

During the years when Saul still retained the kingdom and pursued David in the wilderness, Joab loyally served David. He understood that David was God’s man who would eventually be king. Instead of serving the current king, whom God was replacing, he took the risk of backing the one who had the promise from God. This was perhaps Joab’s finest hour.

The first example of Joab’s putting his own interests ahead of David’s was in the matter of Abner. When Saul died, his son named Ish-bosheth was installed as his successor due, in large measure, to the support of general Abner. David was accepted by Judah as their king, but the other tribes remained loyal to Saul’s son. This situation went on for seven years, and battles were fought between the competing factions, which posed Abner against Joab. In one of those skirmishes, Abner killed Joab’s brother Asahel, which fueled a longing for payback in Joab. Eventually the tides of war began to go David’s way, and Abner fell out with Ish-bosheth. Acting rebelliously toward his king because, like Joab, he was seeking his own best interests, he approached David to work out a way to bring the other tribes under David’s rule. Seizing the opportunity, David made a political choice to give the generalship to Abner, which imperiled Joab and incentivized him to murder Abner, both to revenge his brother’s death and to preserve his own position as general.

Joab probably assumed that Abner would get the generalship, since he had been King Saul’s man. Though David stood to gain politically by choosing Saul’s former general Abner over Joab, Abner was an even poorer choice to be general than Joab. One can imagine how Joab must have felt when his king consorted with his rival. Nevertheless, Joab’s deceitful murder of Abner in cold blood cried out for God’s punishment, which would eventually come years later. In the meantime, Joab retained his position as general, but this episode created a big rift between David and Joab. They continued to work together, but never again would they fully trust one another. David now realized that Joab could not be controlled, and Joab understood that David was not fully loyal to him.

The next big test for Joab came when David committed adultery with Bathsheba and ordered Joab to orchestrate things in battle so that Bathsheba’s husband Uriah would be killed. Joab went along with the murderous plan, but why? Perhaps he identified with David, who in this case also was putting himself ahead of God’s will. Maybe he wanted to gain some leverage against David. Perhaps he was being blindly loyal. Whatever the case, this was a sad day in King David’s life, one for which he, his family, and the nation paid dearly. Eventually what took place here culminated in the lowest point in David’s life, Absalom’s rebellion.

Absalom became embittered against his father when David failed to properly deal with Absalom’s older half brother, Amnon. Amnon was infatuated with his beautiful half-sister, Tamar, who was also Absalom’s full sister. He raped her and subsequently cast her off. David did nothing. When Absalom discovered what happened, he coldly plotted revenge, which he pulled off at a sheep shearing event, when his men killed Amnon. He may have planned to kill David at that time as well, but the king chose not to attend the event. David banished Absalom for a season, but eventually brought him back, but they were never reconciled. Absalom began to carry out a plan to gradually win over the hearts of many in Israel. He plotted with Bathsheba’s bitter grandfather to overthrow David. At the right time, Absalom launched the rebellion from Hebron and sent his army to capture David in Jerusalem.

At this low point in David’s life, the king showed his faith in God in a big way. He told his followers that he trusted that God would restore the the kingdom to him if it pleased him. Otherwise he resigned himself to God’s will. He was not passive, however. He fled the city, and, to his credit, Joab remained loyal to David. The decisive battle came some time later. David instructed his commanders to show mercy to Absalom, but Joab paid his king no mind and personally killed Absalom when the opportunity presented itself. Once again Joab showed that he was ungovernable, but, in this case, he did exactly what needed to be done. Absalom had to die.

After the battle, David grieved for his son, confusing his victorious warriors who risked their lives to end the threat. It was at this point that Joab’s true colors once again showed themselves. He told David that he must stop weeping for his enemy or he would demoralize his faithful, which was good advice. However, he threatened to lead a coup against David, if he did not follow this directive. Joab revealed at this point that he considered himself to be in a superior position to David. He believed David was beholden to him to retain his kingship, which was the very thing Abner had done to Ish-bosheth. I believe this threat sealed Joab’s fate.

The principle here is that, when we presume to dictate to or threaten those God has put in place in our lives as governing authorities, we cross a line that begs for God’s judgment.

After Absalom’s defeat, David once again showed disloyalty to Joab by courting the general who backed Absalom in order to gather the rebellious tribes back to himself. David seemed to alternate between operating by God’s principles and the world’s. When Joab heard about this, he resorted to what he knew best. He murdered Amasa his challenger, once again shedding innocent blood. I blame this one on David, but Joab did not have to react the way he did. What would have happened if Joab had trusted God to sort things out? We will never know.

Joab’s “last rodeo” brought him down. When David was so aged that he scarcely governed, his eldest living son named Adonijah decided to step into the vacuum and have himself declared king. To pull this off, he obtained the support of the general of David’s army, Joab. Previously, God had made it clear that Solomon was the one destined for the throne, but, for whatever reasons, Adonijah thought he could pull it off, and Joab must have believed his future looked brighter serving the presumptive king rather than Solomon. This was a fatal decision.

When David got wind of what was going on, he promptly installed Solomon as king, putting those who supported Adonijah in great danger for their treason. Solomon showed great restraint and refused to punish the rebels, but on his deathbed, David ordered Solomon to take down Joab.

And there is something else. You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace, staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood. 6  Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace. 1 Kings 2:5-6 (NLT)

The opportunity to fulfill David’s directive arrived when Adonijah asked Bathsheba to seek permission for him to marry David’s former concubine, Abishag. This was tantamount to asking to be king, which infuriated Solomon, who dispatched his new commander, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, to execute him. When Joab heard this news, he fled to the altar, hoping it would offer protection, but Jehoiada dragged him out and put him to death. Thus the old general ended poorly.

Benaiah had faithfully served David as captain of his personal body guard. He never once disregarded his king’s command or did anything solely for his own benefit. His loyalty was rewarded, and he was the man who brought God’s judgment upon the self-serving Joab, who over and over violated God’s principles of authority.

Ending well is a bigger challenge than one may think. Some of the biggest temptations come later in life. What we sow when we are young also may come home to roost later in life.

That was certainly the case with Joab. David made plenty of mistakes, too, but he repented when appropriate and kept his heart soft toward God. There is no record that Joab ever repented for his sins.

The final principle we can draw from Joab’s life is that faithfulness is eventually rewarded and rebellion punished.

Joab’s partial faithfulness was rewarded for a time, but the rebellion that was mixed in eventually brought him down. He ended up siding with a rebel, when it seemed to be to his advantage, and went down with him.

Proverbs says:

 Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2  Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3  Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 4  Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts. 5  Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever. Psalm 15:1-5 (NLT)

Moral character has a tremendous impact on our destiny. Joab’s moral flaws led to his downfall.

It is vital that we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us so that we act, think, and speak more and more like our Lord; otherwise our personal character defects may negatively impact our lives in a big way.

May the Lord be gracious to us and help us so that we can end well as did David, rather than as did Joab. David was a serious sinner, too, but he sought and found forgiveness. Joab never did, which undid him.

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Chapter 38: Lordship Matters – Lord of My Relationships

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Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is a “love-hate” relationship. We are to love Him so much that all other relationships take a back seat.

The Lord used hyperbole in the following verse to make his point.

If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26 (NASB)

Jesus does not advocate hating our family, but, whenever there is a conflict of interest, we must come down on the side of God.

Some of us have been or will be confronted with making a choice between pleasing a family member, friend, colleague, or some other important person in our lives or Jesus. This is no small matter. We may suffer great loss and pain because of the choice we make. The early disciples faced such critical moments.

Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28  “Didn’t we tell you never again to teach in this man’s name?” he demanded. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!” 29  But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. Acts 5:27-29 (NLT)

When we choose God over family, friends, culture, and familiar and important places, institutions, and people, it pushes us into what some call a liminal space of uncertainty between what was and what is to come.

Abraham chose God over his home, culture, friends, and what was familiar. During his journey to Canaan, he was in a liminal space. When he arrived at the “promised land,” he still had no place to call his own. Following the Lord can be like that, which requires us to find our security in God.

Those with whom we relate impact our lives for good or bad. The opposite is also true: we impact others for good or bad. Therefore, every relationship we have should be submitted to the Lord. This means we should allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our choice of friends.

The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. Proverbs 12:26 (NKJV)

Don't let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (GW)

This does not mean that we should cease to relate to ungodly people who need to know the Lord, but we should be careful because our friends can influence what we believe and value. Jesus prayed all night before choosing the twelve apostles who would be closest to him. He powerfully influenced them over the next three years as he prepared them to be leaders in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Conversely, the disciples did not understand Jesus’ mission to give his life as the Lamb of God. Peter even tried to dissuade him from going to the cross, which provoked our Lord to rebuke him sternly.

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. 22  But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23  Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” 24  Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:21-26 (NLT)

We must be aware that people we love may attempt to sway us from obedience to God out of their concern for us.

They may not understand God’s call on our lives and try to dissuade us from taking a course of action that seems not to be in our own best interest. These well-intentioned people sometimes simply fail to understand what Jesus values. They do not grasp that Jesus is worth any sacrifice we may make. Nothing spent on him is ever ill advised. When the woman poured the expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, one of the disciples declared it was a waste of money, but her act has been forever memorialized in Scripture, as well as the failure of that disciple to see Jesus’ immense worth.

Let’s be among those who are willing to give away what men treasure in service to God despite the naysayers.

Jesus had to reject Peter’s counsel to spare himself a horrible death to follow his Father’s will and save us. When this sort of thing happens, it is never an excuse for us to be rude or impatient. Rather we do well if we manage to show love and respect to those whose counsel we reject and try to explain to them as best we can why we must pursue obedience to the Lord. Jesus’ rebuke of Peter was done out of love for him and to properly distance himself from a very real temptation. Plenty of God’s servants have been led off course by those they love.

An Old Testament prophet was influenced to disobey God’s direct orders by another older prophet. (1 Kings 13:11-26) Perhaps the younger one listened to that older prophet out of respect, or maybe he secretly did not want to have to do what God said, and this was a perfect excuse. Whatever the reason, this prophet was put to death because he allowed a “friend” to get him off course.

I am not suggesting that God will kill us if we allow someone to get us off course, but we may indeed suffer great loss because of our disobedience. Let us be led by God’s Spirit in everything we do.

We are wise to rely upon the Lord when it comes to choosing a spouse, which is the most influential relationship we will ever have. People choose mates for all sorts of reasons – love, companionship, security, beauty, sexual attraction, financial interests, social advancement, etc. In the world, people often choose partners who will aid them in their career advancement and the pursuit of personal goals. Finding a like-minded person is important.

For a disciple, one of the most critical factors in choosing a spouse is for him or her to have the same vision and commitment to the Lord as we.

We would be very unwise to marry anyone who is going to distract us from God’s purpose and our commitment to serve Jesus. On the other hand, we don’t want to become so “spiritual” that we neglect the human side of the equation, either. I believe God wants us to marry someone whom we genuinely love and respect, to whom we are attracted, who has similar values and goals, and who shares our passion and commitment to the Lord and His kingdom. This necessarily eliminates non-Christians from consideration for marriage.

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT) 

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:39 (NLT)

When it comes to choosing a spouse, probably the most important of all our relationships, disciples understand the value of seeking good counsel.

It is not always wise to rely solely on our own feelings and judgment in such an important matter. When our hormones kick in, sometimes good judgment falls to the wayside. This does not mean we allow someone else to decide for us, but it is important to listen and weigh what others say. If those we trust, especially our parents and siblings, are uneasy about our choice, it should give us pause to consider. The best scenario is when all concerned are positive with our choice and give it their blessing.

Another way we allow Jesus to be Lord of our relationships is to maintain them His way. This means we make the choice to apply kingdom principles to our relationships.

God expects us to forgive readily and not harbor offenses.*

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

This often requires us to talk openly about difficult matters instead of burying our feelings and hurts. Paul called it speaking the truth in love, which requires honesty, self-control, courage, and love.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15  Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:14-15 (NLT)

Matthew 18 tells us how to handle these kinds of situations.

If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17 (NLT)

I believe one of the most prevalent sins in the body of Christ is the failure to properly resolve relational offenses.

The problem may stem from our dislike for confronting others and the high probability that we will be likewise confronted in the process, revealing our own sinful attitudes and behavior. Sometimes we are afraid of being hurt all over again. Nevertheless, if we are committed to being disciples, we will allow Jesus to rule in this area of our lives, too.

A final way we allow Jesus to be Lord of our relationships is in the church. The Lord often brings together people from different cultural, racial, socio-economic, and other backgrounds into a local church. Many church members may be those with whom we would not ordinarily associate. However, if Jesus is our Lord and God is our Father, then a church is a family. We love and relate to family members regardless of any perceived affinities. Sometimes God places people in our lives to help us grow in this area.

If Jesus is Lord of our relationships, we will relate to those whom He puts in our lives and learn to love and appreciate them.

Jesus wants us to lay down our own selfish agendas to be kingdom people who can show the world what real Christianity looks like. This is a tall order, but whoever said serving Jesus was easy?

* For those who have suffered abuse, it is important to add that forgiving someone does not mean we naively allow them to hurt us again. Forgiveness and trust are different matters. Also, forgiving someone does not mean we are necessarily reconciled to them, which is a restoration of intimacy. However, in a normal relationship, every effort must be made to release each other from any sense of indebtedness because of past offenses. God also wants us to forgive daily to avoid becoming bitter because we continue to be offended.

Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" 22 "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)

We are all offenses waiting to happen. The Lord wants to restore us to intimacy and trust despite our propensity to hurt one another repeatedly. That is why we so desperately need mercy from God and each other.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

 

Questions for Further Study and Discussion 
  • Which is more challenging for you, enduring the loss of friendships because of your allegiance to Christ or lovingly confronting a someone who has hurt you?
  • Have you ever had to go against the counsel of someone you admired and loved to obey the Lord? How did that affect you?
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Chapter 53: Meditation on God’s Word

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The Word of God is alive and powerful and deserves time and attention spent in meditation.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) —

Jesus said that his words are “spirit and life.”

The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.  John 6:63 (NLT) —

The words of the Bible were inspired by the Holy Spirit when they were written (2 Timothy 3:16). They become alive to us when the Spirit helps us to understand, believe, and act on them. God’s words impart God’s life to us.

[Jesus said,] “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”  Matthew 4:4 (ESV) —

God’s words have the power to change us from the inside out through a process Paul called the “renewing of the mind.”

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  Romans 12:2 (NLT) —

We participate in the process of transformation when we meditate on the Word and allow it to permeate our lives while asking the Holy Spirit to be our teacher by opening its meaning to us, imparting its life, and helping us to put it into practice.

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.  John 14:26 (NLT) —

God spoke the following to his servant Joshua when he was given the responsibility of leading Israel.

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8 (NASB)

The Bible has the power to stir faith in our hearts.

Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.  1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT) —

The more we meditate on the Word, the more our faith will grow.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  Romans 10:17 (NASB95)

God’s Word guides us on the path of life and reveals God’s mind and heart to us.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.  Psalm 119:105 (NASB95) —

But we are unlikely to access the profound depths of God’s Word without meditating upon it. The Hebrew concept of meditation is nothing like what is advocated by various Eastern religions.

Biblical meditation is not an emptying of the mind. Instead, it involves turning the scriptures over and over in our thoughts, much as meat is turned as it roasts upon a spit.

Meditation also contains the idea of muttering or talking out loud to ourselves as we think or perhaps recite the verses in the act of memorizing or recalling them from memory.

As we meditate prayerfully upon Scripture, the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and gives deeper understanding.

The psalmist describes this process in the following passage.

Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders. Psalms 119:27 (NASB)

The same author told his readers that wisdom and understanding come to the one who practices the spiritual discipline of meditation.

O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts. Psalms 119:97-100 (NASB)

The Holy Spirit nurtures a love for God’s Word in our hearts.

The words of the Bible become a source of joy as the Holy Spirit causes them to come alive inside us.

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.  Jeremiah 15:16 (NLT) —

When we meditate on God’s Word, it motivates us to obedience which brings blessings.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalms 1:1-3 (NASB)

Jesus is the Living Word, the eternal Logos. We cannot afford to live without daily drinking from its depths and partaking of its sustenance. Jesus said:

People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.  Matthew 4:4 (NLT) —

If we regularly practice the spiritual discipline of meditation on God’s Word, we will grow spiritually and be continually led by God’s Spirit.

Meditating on God’s Word is one of the most basic spiritual disciplines a Christian must practice. We never get too mature to need to do this. Here are some suggestions for doing this.

  • Read the Bible daily. There are several ways to read the Scriptures. We can simply read through the Bible. We also can read and study it topically. Another method is to do “word studies” where we see how words are used in the Bible. Perhaps the most desirable way to study is devotionally. In this way of studying, we ask the Holy Spirit to teach us what he wants us to receive, believe, and do.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to be our teacher. He is the One sent by God to give us revelation and understanding. He is the One who inspires faith in our hearts and does transformation work in our lives. When he teaches us, the Word “burns” inside us, so to speak. (Luke 24:32)
  • Keep a journal where you can record questions and insights you have regarding what you read. You can also notate anything you believe God speaks to your heart. We might think that we will remember everything, but that is highly unlikely. In my case, I often make notes in my Bible in the margins.
  • Memorize verses and passages. This is a great aid in the meditation process. Think long and hard in a prayerful state of mind about what you read.
  • Ask God to show you how to apply what you read to your life. Ask the Spirit to help you obey what the Bible teaches.
  • Use Bible study aids to assist you in your study. A great one is to have a computer program that provides instant access to various versions and notes, allows you to do quick searches, and shows what the original Greek and Hebrew words mean. Other resources are commentaries, expository dictionaries, Bible encyclopedias, and books. The NIV and ESV Study Bibles pull together many of these resources into one location. Listen to teachings from trusted teachers and read books by good authors. Your pastor may be able to recommend some excellent books for you.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit causing the words of the Bible to “come alive” to you?
  • What have you found to be the most life giving way to read and meditate on the scriptures?
  • What Bible study aids do you find most helpful?
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Chapter 57: Sharing the Gospel

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Sharing the gospel with others is our most powerful offensive spiritual weapon, and I list it as a spiritual discipline because it is something we should regularly do, even if we don’t “feel” like it.

Overcoming our reticence regarding the gospel is one of our greatest challenges.

Most people quite naturally talk about what is important, excites, or brings them joy. Jesus said:

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. Luke 6:45 (NASB)

If our favorite sports team is doing well, we will probably tell others. If we discover some exciting hobby or pastime, we are likely to freely share it with others because our hearts are overflowing with pleasure, information, or excitement. Likewise, those who curse, complain, encourage, or praise as a regular habit also reveal what fills their hearts.

If we are afraid of what others think, say, or might do to us, we may opt to keep quiet about our allegiance to Jesus. This is what happened to Peter the night our Lord was put on trial. Paul exhorted us to overcome any fear or shame that might hinder our testimony.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for Christ. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 (NLT)

When we hold back from sharing our testimony or the gospel message (our allegiance to Christ), there are two additional possibilities of what may be restraining us. Let’s look at these.

  1. Lack of confidence. We may not feel qualified or knowledgeable enough to engage people with the gospel. Fortunately, this can be overcome by study, practice, and reliance upon the Holy Spirit’s help.
  2. Lukewarmness. This may be the most insidious condition of all. It is when we no longer desire God above all else. We may still retain the vocabulary and habits of devotion, but not the heart. The bride of Christ should love her groom and be excited to talk about him with others. Most of us begin our discipleship journey with zeal, but life and circumstances and the distractions of life have a way of dampening our ardor. Jesus detests lukewarmness, which should prompt us to repent. (Revelation 3:16) Jesus told us to come to him with a repentant heart. He will work inside us to restore the fire of zeal in our souls.

Jesus spoke of lukewarmness is his parable of the sower and the seed.

The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, 19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.  Mark 4:18–19 (NLT) —

Sharing the good news about Jesus the Messiah is one of the most rewarding ways to spend our time. It glorifies God when we publicly identify with our Lord. It makes it possible for others to come into the family of faith and allows us to participate in the joy of heaven when a sinner repents.

The only treasure we take with us beyond the grave is what God has done in and through us – our works of obedience and faith and those we lead to the Lord.

Paul wrote:

Dear brothers and sisters, I love you and long to see you, for you are my joy and the reward for my work. So please stay true to the Lord, my dear friends. Philippians 4:1 (NLT)

Christians are designed and expected to reproduce themselves through sharing the gospel, just as all living things do.

Sharing the gospel can also be thought of as fishing for people.

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”  Matthew 4:19 (NLT) —

No one ever caught a fish without trying, except perhaps when a flying fish jumps into a boat. It is possible to lead a person to Christ almost by accident if they are ready enough. However, most fishing required time, effort, skill, and expense. If we are not willing to invest ourselves in the process, we will not likely catch many people. Here are some things we can do to get more involved in fishing for people.

  1. Pray for family, friends, associates, and neighbors who do not yet know the Lord. Ask God to prepare their hearts and bring people into their lives who will share the gospel. Be ready to be that person.
  2. Spend time with people. Call on neighbors. Ask people over to share a meal, coffee, dessert, etc. Take advantage of naturally occurring time spent together to develop friendships.
  3. Learn the art of conversation. People often reveal their needs when we talk, which can open a door to pray or encourage, or maybe even share our testimony or the gospel.
  4. Be patient. Do not think we have to “close the sale” too quickly. Wait for the right time and prompting of the Holy Spirit. If people think we are simply trying to put notches on our gospel gun, they will likely be offended.
  5. Make it your goal simply to love people whether or not they seem open to the gospel.

Have we shared our faith lately? Can we think of anyone that we personally led to Jesus? We will never win the lottery if we never enter it. We will never lead another person to faith if we never share the gospel. If we have reproduced ourselves through the gospel, how long has it been? Do we need to stir ourselves up again? Today is as good a time to start as any. Why not pray right now that God will open a door for you, and then be ready to share. Here is an admonition written by the apostle Paul.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6 (NIV)

Peter also encouraged us to be vocal about our allegiance to Christ.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

We can make sharing the gospel part of our lifestyle by deciding to prioritize it.

This will require us to become gospel “fluent” by spending time in the study of the key elements of a proper presentation of the gospel. We will look at this in another section. We also need God’s anointing and power that come via the baptism in the Spirit. Jesus warned his disciples not to attempt being his witness until this took place.

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”  Luke 24:49 (NLT) —

Those first disciples needed this infilling, and so do we. In a future lesson, I will share how to receive this most amazing promise of the Father. In fact, I have written a book on this subject, which is available on Amazon, entitled, Promise of the Father.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • What are the key elements of your personal testimony?
  • What do you understand to be the difference between sharing our testimony and the gospel?
  • Do you feel like you are competent to effectively share the gospel?
  • Have you ever led another person to faith in Christ?
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Chapter 61: Irrefutable Evidence

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Evidence is what we see, hear, or otherwise apprehend directly and personally, not secondhand or by hearsay, which helps to demonstrate the truth of some assertion. Evidence must be something objective and external to us, rather than inward feelings or conjecture. It is something that can stand up in court. Evidence does not cause something to happen. It proves that something did happen.

The Bible says that the evidence of the baptism in the Spirit is speaking in tongues and prophecy.

This lesson is limited to the evidence of speaking in tongues, since that is more common than prophecy as an initial evidence. When we observe someone speaking in tongues, we have irrefutable evidence that he or she received the baptism in the Spirit. If the person does not speak in tongues, but says he knows he has received the baptism in the Spirit by faith, even though it may be true, we cannot corroborate his statement because we have no evidence.

 Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Unfortunately, we often read into the scriptures our own prejudices and experience. This is called eisegesis, as opposed to the proper task of exegesis, which is extracting from the Bible what it means. While it sounds very noble to claim that we do not practice eisegesis, we all are influenced by our own experience, traditions handed down to us, and a priori beliefs. Only the Holy Spirit can properly interpret the Bible since he is the Author or Inspirer.

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 1 John 2:27 (NLT) —

It is a misguided endeavor to limit our interpretation of the Bible to what scholars determine was the human author’s intention and meaning when he wrote, especially when it comes to prophecy, since we are told that it was the Holy Spirit “carrying them along” (2 Peter 1:21) when they spoke and wrote, often about things regarding which they had limited understanding at best.

This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. 12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. 1 Peter 1:10–12 (NLT) —

Knowing that we all tend to approach Scripture from the frame of reference of what we already think, have experienced, or have been taught, we should be careful when interpreting those things that are outside of our own experience.

Humility keeps us open to receive more from God and does not insist that truth conform to our own theology or experience.

Another big obstacle is bad doctrine. Some Bible teachers have done a great disservice to the body of Christ by disseminating false teaching regarding the baptism and gifts of the Spirit. Overcoming such indoctrination is often quite a challenge, especially if we love, respect, and trust our previous instructors.

Just because someone knows a lot about the scriptures in general does not mean he or she understands everything.

While a bachelor can teach on marriage from the Bible, a married person will probably have much more insight and wisdom about life as a couple from having experienced marriage firsthand. A person may know what the Bible teaches about the new birth, but until we have personally experienced it, we cannot properly understand it. Likewise, well-intentioned Bible teachers have taught on the baptism and gifts of the Spirit without ever having received or experienced them, often because they have rejected that they are for today.

Jesus said we must obey the Word to understand it.

Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.  John 7:17 (NLT) —

Spiritual strongholds are lie-based logical arguments we embrace that block us from believing God’s revealed truth and receiving the attached blessings.

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NLT) —

If we are taught and embrace a lie about the baptism or gifts of the Spirit, it sets itself up in our minds to keep us estranged from one of God’s biggest blessings – the Promise of the Father. Sowing lies is one of the devil’s primary strategies to hinder people from first coming to Christ and then, after we become Christians, to keep us from advancing in our faith and devotion to Christ. Overcoming lie-based strongholds requires us to embrace God’s truth, even when it opposes our previously held beliefs.

Traditions of men cannot be allowed to stand between us and God’s blessings.

The Record from Acts

Luke’s record of how the Holy Spirit worked through the early disciples of Christ in the years following his resurrection is found in Acts. We should allow the record to speak for itself instead of superimposing our own understanding and traditions on top of the Bible’s clear testimony.

Unfortunately, over time, unexperienced truth can be lost and buried like old ruins.

Thankfully, God has restored much to the church regarding the baptism in the Spirit over the last century beginning at Azusa Street, continuing through the Latter Rain Movement, and the Charismatic Renewal. In addition, over the past decades, God has restored our understanding and experience of apostles and prophets, two of the most neglected components of the Five-Fold or Ascension Gift Ministries described in Ephesians 4:11-12.

The first example of people being baptized in the Spirit is found in Acts 2.

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)  

The word Luke used in the above passage to describe what happened to the disciples is that they were “filled” with the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his followers that they would be “baptized” in the Spirit.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 (ESV)

We should not be confused by the overlapping terminology. The “filling” recorded in Acts 2 was the ‘baptism” promised in Acts 1. The important thing for us is that this was another experience with the Holy Spirit, different from the new birth. This baptism in the Spirit filled those men and women to overflowing with the power and boldness of the Holy Spirit, to equip them for preaching the Gospel and ministering in Christ’s name.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

Speaking in tongues is the supernatural overflow of this filling or baptism in the Spirit.

Jesus taught that we speak out of whatever fills our hearts.

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 (ESV)

We all talk about the things that excite us. If we are football fans, we love to speak about football. If we are fans of cooking, we share recipes. If we love nature, we talk of the outdoors. If we are filled with God’s Spirit, we will talk about Jesus. In some cases, we do so in other languages inspired by the Spirit of God.

When we overfill a pitcher of water, the overflow comes out of the spout. When God overfills us with his Spirit, the excess spills out in various ways, usually in verbal form. Our mouths are sort of a pressure relief valve.

Paul wrote the following.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19  addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, Ephesians 5:18-19 (ESV)

Why should it surprise us that people begin speaking and singing when filled with the Spirit? The only real surprise is that we can and often do express our joy and excitement by speaking in unknown languages.

Here are some more examples from Acts.

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45  And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46  For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God... Acts 10:44-46 (ESV)  

And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Acts 19:6 (ESV)

When Peter and John visited Samaria on the heels of Philip’s preaching the gospel there for the first time, they laid hands on the new believers because, even though they had believed and been water baptized, they had not yet been baptized in the Spirit. How did the apostles know? The most reasonable explanation is because they had not yet spoken in tongues.

When Peter and John prayed, something so remarkable happened that Simon the Magician begged to be given the power associated with laying on of hands. Most probably he heard the people begin to speak in tongues, just as happened the other times people were baptized in the Spirit in Acts.

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15  who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16  for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17  Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18  Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19  saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-19 (ESV)
Conclusion

The record of Acts clearly shows us that the first disciples received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and prophecy. This irrefutable evidence allowed Peter to argue successfully that he had to water baptize the Gentile Cornelius, since God obviously demonstrated his acceptance of him by giving him the baptism in the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

There was no difference between what happened to the first disciples on Pentecost and what happened to Cornelius and the others later.

For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47  “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ... Acts 10:46-48 (ESV)

We should desire and expect no less for us who live today. God is the same, the promise is the same, and the need is the same.

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”  Acts 2:38–39 (NASB95) —

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

You can read more about the baptism of the Spirit and the gifts in Pete's book, Promise of the Father, which is available on Amazon. Click here for the link.
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Chapter 88: Having Done All, Stand

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Standing our ground is perhaps the most important aspect of spiritual warfare.

For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.  Ephesians 6:13 (NET)

Paul uses an analogy from ancient warfare when he wrote that we should put on spiritual armor by faith, which is described in the passage following the above verse. Even though he lists each piece of armor in Ephesians Chapter Six, we should not think of it as individual pieces acquired separately.

Every aspect of our armor comes as a package when we receive Christ.

We simply need to recognize what we have and consciously arm ourselves with the same. This is the same as “putting on Christ,” which is mentioned elsewhere. (Romans 13:14 and Galatians 3:27) We are complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10), having all that we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) In other words, God does not dispense grace or gifts piecemeal. Rather, he gives us all things in Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV)

Understanding that Christ is our spiritual armor enables us to stand against the enemy.

Standing firm positions us to experience God’s fighting on our behalf. During Jehoshaphat’s rule, when Israel faced a vast horde of enemy soldiers, God instructed his people to trust completely in him.

You will not fight in this battle. Take your positions, stand, and watch the Lord deliver you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid and don’t panic! Tomorrow march out toward them; the Lord is with you!’ ”  2 Chronicles 20:17 (NET)

Ultimately every battle is the Lord’s.

When David faced Goliath, he proclaimed (prophesied) that God would defeat the giant.

And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”  1 Samuel 17:47 (NLT)

David had to fight, but he understood that really the battle was being waged by God himself, who gave David the victory. The rest of the army of Israel stood back in fear, but David stood firm in faith. His stand of faith resulted in his being willing to enter battle with the giant enemy warrior.

Standing firm results from our knowing that God is with us to give us the victory.

Somewhere along the line, David wrote the beautiful song we know as Psalm 23. Perhaps it was before his pivotal defeat of Goliath.

David understood that his strength was found in God’s presence.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4 (NASB95)

Moses was able to stand up against Pharaoh because he too knew that God was with him.

But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”  Exodus 3:11–12 (NLT)

It took a while for Moses to be convinced, but eventually he came to believe that God was indeed with him, which enabled him not only to confront Pharaoh but also to lead Israel for forty years through the desert.

If God is with us, it is enough for us to stand up against any force of evil and fulfill our calling.

Standing against the wiles and onslaught of the enemy also requires courage on our part. The devil seeks to convince us that God has abandoned us, and we are on our own.

Faith in God’s faithfulness allows us to shield our hearts against these lies.

In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Ephesians 6:16 (NLT)

Jesus guaranteed that the enemy cannot ultimately harm us.

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.  Luke 10:19 (NASB95)

But this promise does not preclude that we may suffer threats and harm to our physical bodies through persecution.

The tests and trials of life are used by Satan to make it appear that God cannot be trusted.

These contradictions to God’s benevolent promises to keep us from all evil, are tests of our ability to stand by faith in his faithfulness. Jesus withstood these contradictions, and so must we.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.  Hebrews 12:1–3 (NLT)

Sometimes God grants us a magnificent deliverance in answer to our faith. Other times he may allow us to suffer contradiction, giving us the opportunity to demonstrate our courage and faith in the face of adversity.

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. 39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.  Hebrews 11:32–40 (NASB95)

Whether we experience glorious victory over the things that challenge our faith, or God allows us to suffer contradiction, we must stand by faith.

When we make up our minds to give God thanks in every circumstance because we fully believe that he will work all things out for our good and his glory, we become overcomers by faith.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Whether we receive the object of our faith in this life or not, we overcome because of our faith stance.

Such faith glorifies God because it is God-centered rather than man-centered.

Standing by faith is rooted in the conviction that God is loving, faithful, and always with us. Our part is to remind ourselves of these things by remembering to pray, study the Word of God, share the gospel with others, and worship. This allows us to be fully clad in God’s protective armor, which protects every part of our being from head to foot. As we learn to stand on the promises of God, his Word becomes a spiritual sword in our hands by which we can defend ourselves and inflict damage on the enemy of our souls.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—  Ephesians 6:14–18 (NKJV)

The belt of truth holds everything in place through our conviction that every word of God is true. The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart from the onslaught of condemnation. Our feet or walk with God is protected and strengthened as we fearlessly share our faith with others. Our faith acts as a shield to protect our hearts from Satan’s fiery darts of doubt and fear. The helmet of salvation guards our minds with the hope (firm conviction) of God’s complete faithfulness. Knowledge of God’s Word put into practice enables us to properly defend ourselves and even attack. Finally, prayer is how we stay in a proper attitude of complete reliance upon God for ourselves and others.

Click here to see all the articles in this series.
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