|
| New Take On Bible Words #3 -- Church = The Christ Movement |
|
| |
16:17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:17-18
_____________________________________________________
I have never been comfortable with the idea of church being either a religious building or a religious organization . When I read the New Testament, I see so much more.
The Greek word that is translated into English as "church," means "called out ones" or "assembly." It refers to people, not to a building or an organization.
I have pondered and prayed for years, trying to understand what the Bible means by church. One of my favorite Scriptures about the subject is Matthew 16:17 & 18 (quoted above).
In this passage, Peter has just received a personal, heart revelation that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus says that the revelation is supernatural and came from the Father. I believe that Jesus builds His church on the rock of supernatural revelation.
Thus, church is a group of people who individually have an ongoing supernatural revelation of Christ and who live in the light of that revelation by following and obeying Jesus day-by-day. The gates of hell cannot prevail against such people.
In other words, real church is a people movement like the Civil Rights Movement or the Labor Movement. This Christ Movement, however, is lead not by human organizers, but by Christ Himself.
A movement is not an organization. It is a group of people who are passionately stirred by a cause and who are willing to risk everything in support of their cause.
2,000 years ago Christ began His Movement. Often it has been institutionalized into stiff organizations. However, Jesus continues to call out for people to follow Him personally. Through out history, the Christ Movement (the church) has been awakened through supernatural revival. When that happens, the gates of hell cannot prevail, and heart-felt Christianity makes great strides.
The Christ Movement (what we call the church) needs to break out of its religious and institutional box. How we need an awakening of the Christ Movement in our day!
|
|
| To add a comment to "New Take On Bible Words #3 -- Church = The Christ Movement" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 20, 2008 |
 |
|
|
The word "church" appears in the authorized King James Version over ninety (90) times - which includes Jesus' reference to "church" as the gathering of His disciples, ten times. The first such reference by the Lord is in Matthew16:18:
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". (KJV)
Additionally, the Scriptures (here a little and there a little) give us many, many verses on things like (A) how many it takes to be a "church" (two or more) and (B) how the local Church is to be organized and (C) how the business and services are to be conducted - when we "come together".
|
|
|
| December 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Thanks for the good information HSPM. |
|
|
| December 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Amen! |
|
|
| December 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Good word Steve. I believe we just might take a different perspective if we viewed ourselves as personally the church. Good word! |
|
|
| December 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
Amen!
Many churches are not Christ centered but rather people centered. |
|
|
| December 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
For whatever it's worth, brethren; that approach disagrees with the whole counsel of God.
One reason is - "Christianity" is about Jesus Christ (not us) and we "collectively" are His Spiritual Body here on earth. The "all about defining me" attitude and what "I believe" is one of the biggest distractions that have caused so much disobedience and iniquity in the churches.
As the Scriptures teach; we need to be watchful of "seducing spirits" that appeal to such individual approaches to Christianity; they put ones focus on "self" and have no real value towards repentance and holy living; and they take one away from The Word. Such approaches are subtle deceptions from Satan to steal The Word of Truth from the hearts of God's "children". And as you know; childen's minds are easily decieved.
God Bless you.
|
|
|
| December 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Indeed. Christianity is about Christ and about obeying Him. The Christ Movement is when people surrender self and institutions and instead follow Jesus. |
|
|
| December 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
God Bless you all.
May we awaken to
a new move of Christ in our hearts and the
precious promises that have been given us to share with others
be released and the Church be built. In Jesus name,
Amen. |
|
|
| December 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
If we can set aside all intellectual politeness we can take this blog to the level God has intended to be accomlished with discussions like this. If that is OK with you all; please consider the following; if not - you may delete my comment completely.
What Sister Cece suggests can be accomplished and we all can begin a "new movement" here on this blog network - when all (1) swallow our pride, (2) overcome self-righteousness and (3) self-denial, (4) cast out the spirit of competition (which is of the world) and the (5) spirit of control (which is of the Pharisees and Jezebel); and then (6) humble ourselves as "little children" before God and before each other. Then we can believe all of God's Word and (7) "lift up" Jesus Christ - giving Him all glory in our conversations (and on these blogs).
Please consider these two Commands that are rarely found in practice in any church: 1 Corinthians 12:7&11 and Philippians 2:3&4. |
|
|
| December 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
Steve, I am in total agreement with you. I am concerned that we have lost sight of Christ's definition of the "church." Believers seemed to be so distracted by the external and have lost sight of the spiritual realm.
I am encouraged because I know ultimately Jesus will straighten out all the confusion. Meanwhile, I will continue to keep my eyes on the Lord so I won't lose focus on building His kingdom.
Blessings!
Joyce |
|
|
| December 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
Good post Steve.
Joyce, the issues of the church today are nothing new. They have always been as they are today. It is one of the reasons that we have so many denominations and offshoots of those denomenations. Then you rn ito the bible influenced but non-christian groups such as the Jehovah'sWitnesses, Seventh Day Adventists and the Roman Catholics.
Paul warned people of the "Other Jesus' and other Gospels". So it was an issue back in the day. The New Age philosophies that leaven into todays fellowships are no different than the Gnostic Humanistic appraoches being pushed today.
One thing we can hang our hat on. Jesus Christ is e same yesterday, today and forever. So are people. |
|
|
| December 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
Awesome points, Holy Spirt Power Ministry.
P.S. I don't think I have ever deleted a comment from mychurch. Unless it is extremely vulgar or evil, it can stay. |
|
|
| December 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Joyce: You said in very few words what I am trying to say: "we lose sight of the spiritual relm." |
|
|
| December 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
Indeed, GA, institutionalization and religiosity have plagued the church since the beginning.
As far as which groups maintain basic Christian theology -- I think you missed it on Seventh Day Adventists and Catholics. If you read their doctrines, they do believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, that He was virgin born, that he rose from the dead, that he died on the Cross to save us from Hell.
|
|
|
| December 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
| The truth of God's Word is that Jesus is not going to do what He has given us, His Body, the responsibility to do. Once we get understanding of that spiritual reality I think we can move ahead. The churches have for many years been stuck on praying for God to do, instead of asking Him for the wisdom to do - what He has already commanded us to do. |
|
|
| December 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
Greetings Steve, I'm pretty sure The Roman Catholic Church as they call
themselves, Do not believe Jesus to be God manifested in the flesh.
I know this because I was raised Catholic, Oh and there is also a difference
between being a Roman Catholic than a regular Catholic. I never heard Jesus
our Lord, referered to as God. In fact this will make a religious spirit very angry..
So many false teachings, where ever they may be are not of God, therefore
they are not God inspired. The Spirit off God is our helper, without true humility
and humbleness before God, Jesus will not be able to penetrate our hardened hearts.
Our understanding will stay dark because of our pride in self righteousness and religious
bondage. I know this also to be true in my own life. I want to know God and have the wisdom
to do all that he requires of me to do. Not the do,do lists but the knowledge of his word and
how to use it wisely. Souls are the Lords focus. It must be ours.
Steve, I know Jesus is using you, becuase you want to be an open vessel
for him to work through. You are an inspiration. Holy Spirit POWER Ministry,
Christ speaks right through you. I am humbled.
As was suggested we need a movement of Christ to move, not us.
For without him we are nothing.
Gods blessings of peace, Sis Cece.
|
|
|
Follow this blog
