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The congregation in the word of God
In the word of God is clear teaching about the congregation of God. In this teaching I use from the word church word congregation. Those people are nation of God, and they have fellowship with God, they form the congregation. There exist miscellaneous comprehensions and teachings about the congregation of God. In this writing I will process this subject merely in the light of the Scriptures.
Congregation of the old covenant
In the language of Hebrew there are few words, which means congregation, these words are: gahal = congregation, assembly, company, multitude. qehillah = congregation, gathering. edah = congregation, company, assembly, multitude, people, swarm, gathering . maqhel = congregation, group.
God called nation of Israel out from Egypt from a reason that the nation of Israel could serve the living God as the congregation. The congregation is so called out from this world and from sins, which are in this world.
Exo 17:1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
Lev 8:5 And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done.
The congregation is called to live according to the will of God. The congregation of the old covenant was also called and so is also the congregation of the new covenant called to live according to the will of God.
Congregation of the new covenant
A congregation word is ekklesia in Greek language, which means a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Messiahian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):—assembly, congregation, church.
Congregation of God has been called out from the slavery of sin and Satan, to wander in the light of the Spirit of God and in the light of the word of God. Yeshua (Jesus) (Jesus) is the door; if someone goes inside by Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, so the Messiah saves him. When a man enters inside to kingdom of God, then he leaves spirit of the world and find a pasture of God. The thief (satan) doesn’t come for other reasons as steal and kill and destroy life of the people. Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah has come, that people would have life and would life in abundance. Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah is good Shepherd. Good Shepherd gives His life for sheep’s. Satan has come by way of sin, to steal the life of men. Satan has come by way of sin, to kill the life of men. Satan has come to destroy the life of men. Who has saved by Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah, so he has entered inside to spheres of influence of the Spirit of God, but he must also come out from spirit of this world and from effect of sin, which affect in this world. Furthermore, then he finds pasture of Good Shepherd, where grow fruit of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness and faith, God affects by way of His word and His Spirit, in the hearts of the children of God those kinds of fruit.
How the congregation of the new covenant was born?
The Scriptures shows to us building design of the congregation and how a man enters inside to the congregation.
Acts 2:14-47: But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Messiah to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Messiah, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Yeshua (Jesus) hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Yeshua (Jesus), whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Messiah. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Preaching of the gospel
Peter preached in Jerusalem the gospel from up risen Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, and as this consequence several listeners got a prick into their heart, in other words the Holy Spirit showed to them sin, righteousness and judgement. Furthermore, they understood that they are sinners, and they repented their sins and received the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) into their heart as Saviour and Redeemer and like this way they came to the faith to the Lord Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).
To the congregation of God people will come inside always in the same way, in other words by way of the preaching of the gospel, which lead repentance and accepting Lord Jesus as the personal Saviour. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10:17.
For example, here in Finland where I live, Lutheran church teaches, that little babies become member of Lutheran Church (they say to congregation of God) in water baptism, and they get also the Holy Spirit in that baptism. However, this matter is not like this, for the Scriptures teaches from this matter as follows: God gives the Holy Spirit for them, who believe to Yeshua (Jesus), in other words only by way of repentance and believing can have promised Holy Spirit, Gal 3:14. The Scriptures teaches also that believers are baptised into one body, in other words as the congregation in the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor 12:13. The Scriptures teaches that consequence of regeneration a man is joined to the congregation of God, after it comes water baptism in the name of the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah.
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
A man in the regeneration is born for the children of God and is joined to the congregation thus, that he regularly wants to assemble together as the congregation with other believers in their locality. The congregation can form to be quite large and then can be necessary to put up contact information of the members of congregation. Contact information could be sometimes necessary for upkeeping mutual connection of members of the congregation. However, there is a reason to remember, that those contact informations is not similar than congregation's member register, because only in the heaven is the perfect list of members of the congregation of God.
To the congregation become inside only after that, when gospel makes from a man a sinner and after repentance, what is grace effect of God, which as consequence in the faith is received Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah for the Lord and the Saviour. Like this from a man come the child of God and the disciple of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. Like this way a man receives forgiveness of his sins, and he is moved from the power of Satan to the kingdom of God, Acts 26:17-20.
Repentance and water baptism
Those people who have accepted the word of God and came faith to the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), they took water baptism in the name of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. Being born of the faith follows water baptism, and we can’t give water baptism to anybody before the faith has born. Now is noticeable, that the faith is stepping inside of the congregation and not water baptism. In some churches are taught, that water baptism joins believers to the congregation, but in the Scriptures is not such teaching. Water baptism is the consequence of it that the faith has born to the heart of a man. When the faith has born to the heart of a man, he has also born to the congregation of God, in other words to the body of the Messiah. When is spoken from joining to the congregation, so joining means that on locality believers want to assemble together as the congregation to build one another from the word of God by the Holy Spirit. Joining to the congregation takes place from a consequence that the faith has born to the heart of a man. To congregation is not joined by way of the paper membership. Paper membership I mean writing of a name to some religious party member register. Clear teaching of the Scriptures is, that when the faith has born to the heart of a man, and so he has also born for the children of God and to the congregation. But, after to faith believers must bind themselves in their localities to regular gathering of the congregation.
After repentance, must go to water baptism and after repentance, when a man confesses his sins, God forgives all of his sins, and he gets righteousness of the Messiah as a gift.
Peter announced, that same promise had been given also to the children and to all those afar off. What was that promise?
The promise was: " Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
First thing in this promise was the act of repentance and after that water baptism. Consequence from making of repentance follows water getting of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins.
The promise didn't mean children's baptising, but making of repentance follows promises, in other words promise from the Holy Spirit and taking of the water baptism. Also Yeshua (Jesus) said in the gospel: " repent ye, and believe the gospel." Also the children must follow the order of the gospel and this promise, in other words first act of repentance and then the gift of the Holy Spirit and water baptism.
Making of repentance is not the act of a man or act of the flesh, but grace act of God, because it is grace of God, when God through the Holy Spirit and by way of His word, shows to a man that he is sinner and needs salvation. The man doesn't make repentance by himself with his own efforts, but he makes it by grace effect of God, because coming to the faith is not the act of a man, but act of God, a man can only receive salvation after it when the Holy Spirit has shown to him that he needs salvation.
Apostolic teaching
Those who had come the faith in the time of early congregation, they have to be continuously under teaching of the apostles, which means teaching of the word of God. Only source of the life and the doctrine to congregation of God is the word of God and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit opens to the congregation word of God, Joh 16:13. Too many books (confession books of men) have made by people, and they lead many people astray and bind many believers under yokes of traditional rules of religious parties. The Scriptures is only and unique announcement of the word of God, so ask from God that He opens to you from the Scriptures treasures of His words.
Mutual unity of the local congregation
The Scriptures teaches, that there exist one body of the Messiah, in other words one congregation, Romans 12:5; 1 Cor 10:17; Eph 4:4. Biblical congregation is so one and all believers around the world are members of this one and same congregation, which is the body of the Messiah. The congregation is one. There don’t exist many different congregations. From this unity of the congregation must believers hold on to, because division is the work of the flesh, Gal chapter 5.
Local congregation
Each believer belongs to congregation of his locality. But, congregation has to gather together, because like this the congregation can build up together from the word of God. It is vagrancy if we not agree to regularly gather as the congregation in our locality. From this kind of vagrancy must make repentance.
Today exists many different denominations and churches with many different emphasises of doctrines and many different kinds of doctrines. However, the congregation of God is one, and it can't split many different parties. Unfortunately fact is that we are as the nation of God in condition of division of many different denominations and churches, which is work of the flesh. This fact must each believer admit that division is the work of the flesh, who loves Yeshua (Jesus), otherwise we support division, which is the act of the flesh.
The Scriptures teaches that the Lord adds to the congregation those, who have saved by the Messiah. The Scriptures teaches, so that we all were baptized by one Spirit into one body. Through the faith we get promised Spirit. Through the faith we have regenerated and through the faith God has baptized us in the Holy Spirit into one body. By this regeneration believer wants and desires assemble to the mutual connection to be built and to build the congregation.
The division spirit selects for him suitable "home ", whereupon he separates himself from others to his own party (denomination). Division, heresis word is in Greek hairesis, which means choosing, choice, such choosing, in which is held something better than others. A division person like this way selects his own party (denomination) for himself. However, in the Scriptures is reading that God has regenerated a man from the above and added man to His congregation. He who has born doesn’t select, but He who gives the spiritual life, He has selected that a man has born into one body of the Messiah.
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church (Ekklesia) daily such as should be saved.
Work of the flesh and division is that, when we support strange and non-biblical doctrines and then stands out from other believers through those doctrines. It is also the work of the flesh, if someone proclaims that he is in the congregation of God and in this way stands out from other believers. Division is always such kind of in which is withdrawing from others to be own special group, where belongs only those who are thinking exactly same ways and by that way they stand out from other believers. The Scriptures has named already congregation, and given to it name, we don't need to invent many various names to congregation, because the Scriptures teaches that the name of the congregation is congregation of God.
Spirit of division selects and accepts for its members those believers who have same doctrine than they have. Teaching of the Scriptures is that we are baptised in the Holy Spirit for one body, and we must try to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Carnally believers select on the basis of the doctrine, but spiritual believers assemble together on the base of the unity, which affects the Holy Spirit. The doctrines not join us into the one body, but the Spirit. When the Spirit join us, we love one another in truth of word of God, so then we also find scholastic unanimity, in other words we start to believe same ways according to the Scriptures from effect of the Holy Spirit.
The will of God is, that in each locality. Where is the congregation of God is only one congregation of God, because Yeshua (Jesus) has only one congregation and not many different congregations. The will of God is that division would finish and congregation could build up together as the one nation of the God. However, we can never get to this fact that all believers agree to give up their parties that we could be as the one nation of the God. But, if we will love Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah and His word of truth, so nothing can't prevent us that we can assemble together as the one congregation. I see this matter thus, that those people who love more Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah as religious human parties and traditions of men, they give up party Christianity and start to assemble together as the one congregation of God in the name of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah.
Many believers love their religious parties, and they don't want to leave their denominations, but faithfully fostered traditional rules of their parties. We must as disciple of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah to love all children of God, even though they want to build up their own parties. We must keep all believers to dearest sisters and brothers, even though they won't ever come together as the one congregation of God.
Real disciples of Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah love all children of God and to this kind of love, we have been called as disciples of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. However, we believe also, that there exist those believers, which want to believe to the Scriptures, such as it is written, and they also love Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah such way that they start to assemble together as the one congregation of God with their own localities. This is the call of God in these last days, in which we are living; to be one body of the Messiah.
The key foundation to successful and Biblical gathering is if there is any comfort in the Messiah, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, that the congregation think the same, having the same love, one in soul, minding the one thing, doing nothing according to party spirit or self-glory, but in humility, esteeming one another to surpass themselves.
Gathering
From the Scriptures we see for example how the congregation of Rome assembled, I don’t mean Roman Catholic Church, which is not congregation of God, but man made religious institution. In Rome was only one congregation not many different congregations with different names. Paul sent greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and to the congregation, which assembled in their homes. Paul sent greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brothers with them. Paul sent greetings Philologus and Julias, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them.
The Holy Spirit of God coordinated congregation of Rome to assemble to different places. The people lived in different sides of Rome and town was large and from a point of view of believers gathering were reasonable that those who residing near each other assembled between themselves. But, a certainly larger reason was success of mutual building, because assembling together with a large group is more difficult to build up in the principle of the mutual interaction, which the Scriptures teaches, Eph chapter 4.
Yes, congregation can also assemble together as whole congregation, but clearly the emphasis of the Scriptures is in such gathering, in which all have possibility participate to common edifying of the congregation, but this can take place only in little groups like, they did in Rome. From the Scriptures we can see, that the Holy Spirit led congregation to assemble to homes and public buildings. The meeting place is so matter of guidance of God. It is noticeable, that early congregation used many different homes to its gathering. To this is certainly that kind of reason, that when believers assembled in smaller groups in different homes, so they get building up one another powerfully in word of God by the principle of mutual connection.
The Scriptures teaches to letter of Ephesians in chapter 4, that congregation must walk worthily of the calling in which they were called. Congregation must in all humility and forbearance suffers each other in love. Congregation must be also eager and keep the unity of the Spirit and the unity of the one congregation in the bond of peace. The congregation can’t divide different and various religious parties, but they have to be one body.
Congregation may with different ministries and anointments builds one another so, that members of the congregation can build the body of Messiah that they can grow in knowing of God. Purpose of gathering is, that believers achieve and maintain the unity of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God that they can grow towards a full-grown man in the Messiah, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Messiah. Congregation must obey the truth of the word of God in love, because like that congregation grows to Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah.
Congregation must assemble together and build up from common faith. The Scriptures teaches in letter of Ephesians chapter 4, that congregation assembled together to build up one another, which mean that all members of the congregation build congregation through those gifts, which God has given to them. We understand, that in the small groups this mutual interaction is possible. The Holy Spirit coordinated for this reason congregation of Rome assemble to different places, but the congregation continued to be however as one, and in Rome wasn’t many different congregations. I don't mean Roman Catholic Church, which is not congregation of God, but man made religious institution. When I speak about congregation of Rome, I mean such kind of people who has come inside of the congregation by personally repentance and not by infant baptism or sacrament of church.
In Rome was only one congregation, which assembled in different places. Therefore, congregation in Rome has not been many different names and groups of disciples. We too can assemble in the same way as in Rome was gathered. But, why it doesn't succeed today?
The human flesh controls instead of the Spirit of God
The Scriptures teaches, that elders leads local congregation, which are leaders and shepherds and overseers of the congregation. God has regulated in His word, that group of men together lead one congregation of the God with one locality. In the division, there is many different denominations, which lead generally one man, who has elders as his assistance! Leader disease is the most common reason of division. This kind of will and desire that somebody alone leads the congregation causes fruits, that division spread more and more. Some persons often also as believers want control other people and to lead alone their own parties. This kind of will of alone leading is carnally and sin before God, because the Scriptures teaches, that group of men are leading together, (elders) local congregation and not one man.
Acts 20: 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
In the flesh of the man lives also spirit of division, which wants to stand out from other people, generally on this motive; people want to be better than another, or he wants to be more correct on his doctrine as another. Reason of division can be whatever, so it is always carnally and sin before God. Only such disintegration is acceptable, where is clear heresy, and for the sake of this, we must recede in disparity of those, who teach clear heresy. In heresy I mean such, teaching which distort salvation way of God and which leads believers away from the faith.
Name of the congregation
What is the name of the congregation? What is the name the Scriptures calls the congregation? The Scriptures calls the congregation for instance like this:
- Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah our Lord, both theirs and ours. 1 Cor 1:2
- Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia. Gal 1:1,2
- Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah. 1 Thess 1:1
The Scriptures calls congregation for the congregation of Thessalonians and in congregation at Corinth. When the Scriptures uses a plural form from congregation that means congregations in wider areas, for example the congregations of Asia. Same if we use the congregations, which are in Texas, we use plural form. However, the congregation is with each locality one congregation of the God for example on Dallas is one congregation of God. Indeed the Scriptures knows only one congregation and calls it congregation of God in that locality; congregation of Houston and so on. Also in this matter we must follow the announcement of the Scriptures and to give to the congregation that name, which God has given to it. Why we must invent and give different kinds names to congregation of God and add by that way division?
The most common defence to those different names and different doctrines in division of denominations is when laws of the world define, that to association must give some name. However, this matter doesn’t come to hindrance, that we couldn't remain in this name question also in Biblical announcement.
I take one example: the congregation is born by way of preaching of the gospel. The congregation can register association (This is not however compulsion), so that money matters and other matters of practice are taken care of legally orders and in accordance with the law of the people. The congregation can register association, although by the name of Good Samaritan, but this name congregation uses only with respect of the law of this world. However, the congregation comes together and exist only as the congregation of God and as Good Samaritan, because the Scriptures don’t know such a name of the congregation as Good Samaritan. Association and its name are not congregation of God, but a tool assembling of believers in some cases. Furthermore, congregation can't call itself as the name of Good Samaritan, but congregation of the God. I think that for us is good to believe also in this name question it teaching what the Scriptures teach.
The registering of congregation for association don't make congregation as congregation, but congregation exist when in locality is the group of believers. This is very important to understand, that congregation is not building and not denomination and not association, but the congregation is disciples. Registering of the congregation is not compulsory matter, but it is carried out if the money and other matters demand it and are required by law. However, we must remember also that early congregation was in terrible persecutions, in which society pressed them to give up from the faith, but early congregation believers believed more God than man; Furthermore, also we should believe also if laws of men are compelling us to break against God, so we must however believe God, not to man. In future when coming of the Messiah comes closer and closer we will face this kind of situation, where we have to choose God instead of laws of men. Furthermore, then we can’t be members of any associations, but we will assemble like early congregation did as persecuted, but powerfully from the power and grace of God.
Denominations
Announcement of the Scriptures doesn't know denomination Christianity thus as it exists today. Today exist many different denominations, which emphasize their own special teachings. Announcement of the Scriptures doesn't know such practices, that we will form our own denomination, which we will name congregation on another name as what the Scriptures teaches from the congregation. This kind of existence of different denominations and parties and their supporting is favouring of division, which is disintegration and the act of the flesh according to the teaching of the Scriptures. God has one congregation, not many congregations.
Eph 4: 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
It is true, that God has used and also uses powerfully those believers who are inside of those different denominations. However, it, that God uses these people who are inside of those denominations, don't arise of these denominations, but from this, that inside of these denominations can be found people, who has surrendered to God and who loves God so much that He can use those believers that gospel can go forward in this world. Praise and thanks to God and praise to Him, that these surrendered believers can be found from each denomination. God wants them to come together as one body of the Messiah.
It is already very good if believers in the different denominations can admit, that in other denominations are also children of God. It is already better if believers in different denomination can co-operate with other denominations believers. That is the best if all believers can come together as one congregation, and they would remain to be as one congregation and reject division Christianity. On this I don't mean ecumenical connections, which tries create connections between different denominations and different religions, from which forms great harlot described by book of the revelation. Real unity of believers is between those who are regenerated from the Spirit of God, every is based to the apostolic teaching (the word of God, unity of the believers and to breaking bread and prayer Acts 2:41,42.
1 Cor 1:10-13 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Messiah. Is Messiah divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
Eph 4:1-5: I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
The Scriptures teaches, that congregation can’t split to the different parties. Believers must be unanimous. Believers must suffer in the humility and love each other, so that one body in other words the unity of the Spirit of congregation is preserved. We haven't right to split one congregation of the Messiah to different parties. Paul said; is Messiah divided? Quarrels and as its consequence different teachings and parties are as reasons to division. However, all of those things Paul steeply judged and wrote in the Holy Spirit, that believers must be unanimous, because there are only one faith not many different faiths and there is one congregation not many different congregations. Carnally, pride and need to be always right and it, that there is not the love are as reasons of division. The Scriptures teaches, that believers must be humble mind and must be ready to suffer each other’s in the Spirit of love, so that unanimity is preserved in the congregation. Clear teaching of the Scriptures is truth from one congregation. The Scriptures keeps different religious parties as the work of the flesh. I don't dare to defend current division in the congregation of God, before the word of God, and before God.
Congregation may build prayer rooms, if like this the Holy Spirit leads them. When we remember, that congregation is inside in building and not the building. The congregation can assemble also in the homes such as also early congregation gathered. If the Holy Spirit leads congregation can assemble also even though in leaseholds. One congregation, which were in Rome assembled in many different homes, but remain in any case as the one congregation, in which were believed in the same way and to the same Scriptures and to the same God. Believers can also assemble on their locality in many different places, but as the one congregation of God.
Many are accusing from those who are teaching the unity of the congregation, that they are establishing new parties; I will take to this one example, which is worth to read accurately:
Word of God teaches from the one congregation, there is so only one congregation. We look at to locality, where there is Lutheran church, Pentecostal church and Baptist church, so we see three different denominations, and inside of all those denominations are believers, who are nation of God. When the word of God knows only one congregation of God, so we start to preach and teach to this truth of one congregation with every locality. Furthermore, as its consequence from of all these different denominations starts to come believers together and also from the world saved people, who all start to assemble as the one congregation of God on their localities. Which is better alternative, give nation of God be in condition of division or teach and tell the same way as Paul, so that congregation must not divide to different parties? I believe that, that is the will of the God, so that from those different parties believers come out, and they start to assemble in unity which is the will of God. Furthermore, they, which remain to their own parties, they then acts rebellious against will of the God, when they stay in division. Clearly better alternative is, that believers come out from different parties and form unity and reject division. This indicates in their position, which starts to assemble together in unity, that they have biblical understanding, and they live biblical life of the congregation. While they, who remain their parties to them is exposed spirit of division and not Spirit of love and unity. Carnal believer sees new parties in biblical gathering, but God sees that His few children live biblical life of the congregation to the foundation of the unity. Furthermore, God also sees those believers who are under the spirit of division and who want to stay in the division.
To those who teaches truth from one congregation some believer slander that they are wolves. Furthermore, about the wolves it looks like, that wolves are after all those, who want to hold flock in division. The wolf not at all wants, that flock gather together, but wants that flock would be in division and badly wounded. Acts 20:29,30 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. The Scriptures speaks about the unity of the congregation, where wolves rise and with incorrect speeches they draw disciples away from the foundation of the one body. The wolf doesn't want, that flock gather as one body, but wolf wants to cause and to hold congregation in the division. Those believers who teach from the unity of the congregation are not wolves, but builder of the unity of congregation, every gather flock from division to unity.
The will of God is, that we are one as the nation of God just as the Father and the Son are one. To this unity of believers Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah promises, that the people of this world come to believe to Yeshua (Jesus), if His own are one, John chapter 17. Do we want salvation of the people of this world? If we really want, so then we must reject party Christianity and start to assemble as the congregation without different parties, which cause division. Love Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah and love His nation be one with them, who from clean heart cry out help of the Lord.
The Scriptures teaches, that real distinguishing mark of children of God is mutual love. Have we real love of God, which can be seen as the mutual love and unity in the middle of nation of God?
It is unbelievable, that believers, who teaches biblical truth from one congregation is held as heretical and as disperses of the congregation. However, truth is, that the Scriptures teach only from the one congregation of God and not from many different congregations. However, truth is, that the Holy Spirit calls believers out from division to the unity of the one congregation. The division and its acceptance are defending for the work of the flesh. If locality has two different congregations, so is it the will of God? Do you answer now honestly yourself, what is the will of God? Is God pleased about that if these different congregations would do repentance and would start to assemble as the one congregation? Many justify, that can exist many different congregations. However, the Scriptures don’t teach any of that, but one body of the Messiah.
I tell this matter by way of example, so that we will understand what is the unity of the congregation: There is married couple, which has been meant to live together and to be one flesh. Then comes a quarrel, which after married couple apart each other. They both start to live alone. From them is asked why they are living in different addresses, whereby both answers, that they are one flesh, but only in separation. Then in separation being woman understands what means to be one flesh. One flesh means, so that they must live together and not in the different residences. The woman asks reconciliation and offers peace to man and ask her man to move back to home, that they can be one flesh, such as has been written. If a man remains to separation, so then he agrees to live in division. However, the woman has understood this matter, such as is the will of God and she in her heart lives and supports marriage of one flesh. However, if a man decides to return with his wife, so then takes place with the concrete way marriage of the one flesh meant by God. In the same way also we can act as the nation of God to live in separation or be one congregation with in a concrete way.
I emphasize yet, that if some believers want to remain their parties, so we must however love and accept them as the dearest sisters and brothers. I don't advise so anybody to reject the congregation, but I will advise every believer to give up from division and to come together as the one congregation of God. Separation from the congregation is the same matter as departing from the faith. But, leaving from the different denominations and coming together as one congregation of God is removing the shame of the division from the middle of the nation of God and achieving of the unity as the nation of God.
Often I will hear as following thought: when persecution starts, so only then congregation can be one, and so now each denomination has to build their own denominations. In the Scriptures don’t read this way, but in the Scriptures is clear prompt to the unity of the congregation at all times. It is pathetic situation if the world compels believers come together. Think about that if by compelling believers can find unity and not by love! To the Scriptures has been written, that the Holy Spirit has shedded the love of God in the hearts of the believers. I want to come to the unity of congregation from the love of God, not compelled by the world. Love of God is only motive to achieving of the unity of congregation and to its gathering on the foundation of unity. Have we really the Holy Spirit? If we really have it so let it affect in us the will of God, and if He may affect in us, so then we will reject party Christianity and start to assemble together as the one congregation of God, such as the Scriptures teaches us.
Mutual love and respect 1Jo 2:9 The one saying to be in the light, and hating his brother, is in the darkness until now. 1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1 John 3:14-15: We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Word of God urges Yeshua (Jesus)'s disciples to love one another. Everybody who don't love his sisters and brothers in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah still wanders in darkness and don't wander in the light. Disciples of Yeshua (Jesus) from the grace of God in brotherly love must honour one another. Yeshua (Jesus)'s disciples must keep their sisters and brothers in the Messiah esteem as better than himself. Your sisters and brothers can belong anywhere denominations or can be outside of them, so still you must esteem and keep them better as you are; this is clear command in the Scriptures to Yeshua (Jesus)'s disciples. When you live in this way by the Spirit according to teaching of God's word, we can achieve closer and deeper oneness in the congregation.
Finally, I put to this my thoughts about this matter:
You said in your word, that you have one
congregation, but some have decided, that those can be more, many of them.
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I see in my eyes of soul the mercy seat of God, there sits Father and on His right side sits Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. Yeshua (Jesus) looks at His Father and says: sheep’s, whom you have given to me are spread in different parties, in different doctrines, Father, I feel pain in my heart and my heart is deeply sad because of my congregation. I see from the face of Yeshua (Jesus) tears flowing. The Father says: I know my Son, and my heart is deeply sad because of my congregation. I see tears from the face of the Father. This sight breaks me; I feel bad, I have bad condition. To my faces become tears. Oh, Lord help me, Yeshua (Jesus), help me, so that I will have the energy to go forward in this world. Petri Paavola from Finland |
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