First, let me exclaim that after reading varies post on this segment of the forums as of late...getting a sense of the "heart" of "believers" as well as their strong convictions of who and what the Son of God means to them...after walking and having a personal relationship with Christ for the last 20+ years of my life...what name He should go by, where He was born or what "festivals" I should or should not celebrate, is very insignificant to me when I think of who He has been, what He has done and what He's kept me from, by His Spirit, thus far in mine and my families life journey with Him! So for those who would want to criticize my beliefs...God bless you, but you'll be of ill effect here(smile)!!
Now with that said and before I get into the meat of my forum topic, I am by no means a biblical scholar as most who've contribute here and I truly respect the time, effort and research most put into their forum topics and input:bow:!! So please bare with me as I try to explain my thoughts based on the insight given to me by The Holy Spirit of His Word:
Ephesians 4:7-16 KJV---But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of earth? 10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11) And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, pastors and teachers; 12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Now by God's Word I'm led to believe that we as believers have ALL been given a ministry gift by The Holy Spirit to be used for God's glory in this earth to spread His gospel and to help lead souls to salvation! A gift that obviously can ONLY be inspired by The Holy Spirit! We as believers, IMO, should be aspiring to know what our ministry gift is, to then operate in that gift...effectively!! I now know I have been anointed to evangelize...to encourage! I, by The power of The Holy Spirit, try my best to operate in my gift! What I'm trying to get at here brethren is this...if we all aspire to know and operate in our "gift", we may not be as "tempted" to step outside of our gift, criticizing the gifts/anointing of others!
We all have an extraordinary part to play in God's plan for the redemption and restoration of those whom He, before time, has called His own! Based on world events and the time line of His Word, there's not a whole lot of time left for this to happen! Having differences in faith, doctrine, beliefs, etc., to me doesn't seem to be the real issue amongst us who do believe! The real issue or question is...can we come together in our differences, or I'd like to say "gifts", to get God's work done? To me, at the end of the day, nothing else really matters! What say you...
Yes plural, this is not just for the self called pastors, which want to say there is such a thing as a five fold ministry which they and only they can have.
EVERY GRACE of the Holy Spirit is within each believer as the Holy Spirit empowers each believer with but most will be told they have ONLY ONE gift of the Holy Spirit.
Now look into 1st Corinthians 14:26-30 to see how the Holy Spirit empowers and uses the believers to Worship GOD Almighty with His Grace( gifts).
Too many people are being mislead and lied to by the so called 'church leaders' when they meet .
This continual spirit of Dissention we are seeing from George needs to :stop: now!!!...I ask in JESUS Name YOU refrain from coming into the Threads that are Flowing in Peace, Harmony and Unity to cause your mischief and strife. LORD YHVH Rebuke You!!!
Quote ~ Too many people are being mislead and lied to by the so called 'church leaders' when they meet .
George if you can not contribute anything positive and edifying to a Thread topic of discussion and ONLY want to Complain about people being mislead and lied to by so called leaders...do it on your own Threads...Thanks!!!...and have a Blessed day unless you have other plans!!!
ET...Thank you so very much for your input on this subject. And Joy Thank you sister for this topic. We rarely have been able to discuss in any length the depth of these Gifts the Good LORD bestows upon his children. Let us continue to Glorify and Praise the LORD in all that we discuss here and on other Threads...:prayingf:
:laugh:... Very well ...I use the Biblical word "Edify" so you may understand what I am asking of you...
G3619 oikodomē
(the act of) building, building up metaph.
edifying, edification, the act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness, a building (i.e. the thing built, edifice)
which is a compound of G3624 oikos...
a house, an inhabited house, home, any building whatever,
of a palace, the house of God, the tabernacle, any dwelling place of the human body as the abode of demons that possess it, of tents, and huts, and later, of the nests, stalls, lairs, of animals,
the place where one has fixed his residence, one's settled abode, domicile.
...and the base word G1430 dōma
a building, house, a part of a building, dining room, hall, house top, roof, the house tops of the Orientals were (and still are) level and frequented not only for walking, but also for meditation and prayer.
