“DIVINE ORDER OF THE CHURCH” Part 2, NOVEMBER 2018

Speaking in general terms, the lay person gives no thought to the “Divine Order of the New Testament Church.” Many of us were raised in Christian homes (I was raised in a Baptist home and had to be in church every Sunday.) Among my Chinese relatives in Kingston, Jamaica, their infants are put under the care of the Catholic pre-schools. They grew up in that environment, and automatically became followers of the Catholic Faith. Others grew up in other religious entities, and as we watch crowds pulling into the parking lots every Sunday morning, the vital aspect of God’s true church (the Divine Order that he established for his body away back in A.D. 33) does not come to mind. Many worship services each Sunday morning follow a set pattern, in so much, that one can stay at home, look at the clock and say exactly what is happening at the local Assembly. The same things happen at the same time each Sunday, without any variation.

 I was invited to speak at a church in up-State New York, and to my surprise, during the entire service, no one extended greetings: no one introduced anyone else, not even the preacher. I never served in the military, but in that setting, I felt like being in the army. I was scheduled to speak at a Baptist Church in Washington D.C. and on Thursday before my date to speak, I was invited to meet with the pastor. One of the questions he had for me was: “What will your sermon be”? I explained that it was too early for me to determine that matter. I will not know until I get there, and sometimes I do not know until I stand behind the pulpit to speak.” I noticed his concern, so I said” I can tell you this much; if I cannot make your work a little easier, I certainly won’t make it any harder.” At that point I noticed that the pastor relaxed and seemed to ease his concern. Divine worship in the early church was spontaneous as worshippers were moved by the Holy Spirit. Paul exhorted the saints with these words: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:18-19. Again, we read: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16. It should stand to reason that the Holy Spirit cannot be bound by church programs, written in advance for the following Sunday. It should also be understood that the Holy Spirit is always present to minister to individual needs, no matter what time is showing on the clock.
 

SORRY FOR BEING LATE WITH THIS ISSUE…Bro. Kennedy.

 To the ordinary worshippers filing into the pews every Sunday, what can be classified as “Divine Order” must be the propagative of the clergy. Taken in this light the congregation meets, worships, gives to the good works of the local Assembly, without any thought being given to what the divine order is, or ought to be. Here is a likely result when entire congregations worship along the precepts set by the ruling ministry of the local Assembly. If we ignore the true order being inspired by the Holy Spirit, we obviously lend ourselves in worship to what man has created and set in place based upon his design and approval. But Jesus had something to say on this very subject. Speaking of traditions versus the word of God, Jesus said: “Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15: 6-9.

 Thus, it is clear that when we ignore, or depart from the order put in place by Christ himself, and embrace that which man has concocted, possibly from his own imagination (man-made traditions) the word of God becomes of non-effect. It is therefore important for the individual to align one’s self with the original order put in place for the growth and vibrancy of the body of Christ. God’s Divine Order for his church was tailored and designed for the church (His Body) and entrusted to his ministers as stewards over God’s heritage. Consider the negative impact, in not knowing, or adhering to God’s divine order. But, even while the apostles were alive, they warned of the apostasy that would follow in their absence. As the bishops grew to prominence in church affairs, and the influence of the Holy Spirit became sidelined and actually shut out of the church, man’s ego, will, and doctrinal inventions became architects of what they decided that the church should be (or became.)  Centuries of church history have elapsed, and the church continues on the road charted by man’s own will and understanding.

 One generation after another continues on the road that was charted by those who went before. It is understandable that the congregation that gathers from one Sunday to another, will not be the source of change. They will not be the ones to call for a return to the beginning, when Christ, upon his ascension gave the ministerial gifts to the church, for the perfecting of the saints and for the work of the ministry. One of the main points to consider, is the fact that God has only ONE CHURCH upon the earth. It’s order and foundation can be found in scripture, from which his true followers do not deviate. Upon the confession by Peter, Christ said: “thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.” Paul puts it this way: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” Ephesians 2: 20.

This is as sure, enduring, and unchanging as it will get! Out from, or among the multitudes of “churches” that are scattered across this world of ours, Christ recognizes only ONE. He recognizes only that which is his body; that which was purchased by his precious blood and baptized by his Holy Spirit. Notice today that in News headlines and in the movies, the word “church” refers to the Roman Catholic Church. When the Pope speaks, we are told that “The Church said.” However, God has a people who are sealed unto the day of redemption, and we are told: “Having this seal, the Lord knows them that are his. 2^nd Timothy 2:19. As accounted for in church history, the birth and growth of religious entities that are common to us today, their birth and early growth are usually different from what they came to be. Their growth down through centuries became affected by drastic changes: and in most cases, those changes carried the shades of backslidings.

 To read the statement of faith by the founders of many of these religions, is to discover how poignant were the original faith and even the doctrinal beliefs espoused by the founders. As time elapsed, seemingly, the steadfastness and purity of what the founders left in place, gradually lost its glitter, its purity, its potency, and its power to change lives in realistic and profound ways. We mentioned in a previous letter how Jesus began his earthly ministry; so, let us begin at that point in time: and note how his ministry impacted the religious field (being the wide vineyard from which God intends to reap a glorious harvest.) Let us pay attention to the most crucial aspects in what we are about to read! “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. But John’s preaching and baptism were one that led to repentance—pointing to the One that should come after him—and the One who would baptize not only with water, but also with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe the gospel (of the kingdom.) Mark 1: 14, 15.

 At this point, John’s disciples began to follow Jesus. It is important that we do not miss the matter of time, that Jesus came on the scene with his new gospel (of the kingdom of God). Jesus made his appearance only after John was put in prison, knowing full well that John’s ministry was over for he would not live long enough to get out of prison. But it was important for Christ to appear on the scene, only after the ministry of John came to its end. Let us connect the issue from the scriptures! Paul wrote saying: “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses.” Romans 5: 14. But we also learn from Matthew 11: 13: But all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.” So, in essence, death reigned from Adam to John the Baptist. Jesus appeared on the scene with a message of “total life” and he never once stood by a grave and committed the dead to a silent grave. Every time he encountered death in its raw and naked form, he turned it back by banishing it’s hold upon the victim; and erased its impact with the life he possessed.

So then, as John’s ministry neared its end, it also marked the end of the Old Testament rigors and administration of death. All things Old Testament came to an end when Jesus returned from the mount of temptation, as Luke recorded. “And Jesus returned in the Spirit into Galilee; and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.” Luke 4:14, 15. It was about this time that Jesus came preaching that the time was fulfilled (after John was put in prison.) It is significant and of vital importance for us to understand the ending of the old testament virtues that in all fairness was a ministration of death as expressed in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians –he reasoned the matter this way: “For if the ministration of condemnation by glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.” 2^nd Corinthians 3:9-11. But look at the downside that lingers on and on; in that which should be the vibrant and productive body of Christ: more often than not, seems to produce a people who profess a form of godliness, but denying the powers there of.

 We can add this exhortation from the Apostle Paul: “But even unto this day, when Moses (the law and the prophets) is read, the vail is still upon their heart. Nevertheless, when it (the heart) is turned unto the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.” 2^nd Corinthians 3: 15, 16. From time to time, in other writings, we have taken time to highlight the passage of time and its impact upon what is generally called the Church. We paid careful preponderance to the emergence of Martin Luther and his declaration that “the just shall live by faith.” We lingered long enough to see the birth and development of what became known as “The Reformation” and after a while we saw the birth of “Protestantism” that ultimately became a huge umbrella under which large numbers of religious entities could hide or with which they became identified.

 This huge umbrella gave cover to many under the name of religion, but it offered the space and opportunity for each “entity” to be itself, what so ever that meant. Very little about the early Church and the dynamics that the early apostles brought to the fore, by the inspiration and power of the Holy Ghost are evident today. Until this very day, it is not easy by any measure for man to step aside and give all power and authority back to the Holy Spirit as sole leader and ruler of the church. Many realize the truth, and perhaps to themselves in secret wish it were not so. Many have a heart to turn their ministry back to the control of the Holy Spirit. However, with so much at stake in personal gain and prestige, it becomes exceedingly painful, and even impossible for many to follow through and do the right thing. A friend, fellow minister in Jersey City went to preach for a college friend of his. My friend teaches kingdom truths as they pertain to this day. While sitting in the pastor’s study, the host pastor said: “I know what you are preaching is the truth. But, pointing to the day’s offering on the table he said: Do you know how much is in this offering today?

He mentioned the grand total and said, I know what you are preaching is the truth, but I cannot embrace that and give up all of this—pointing to the offerings. Possibly, because of this factor alone, ministers will look the other way, and continue to “keep church” while denying the true authority of the Holy Spirit over God’s redeemed body of people. Instead of building the kingdom of God, one could justifiably say that many ministers are building their own kingdom, upon the goodness of the people. But we do not diminish or argue the blessings that God rewards his true ministers with. Many of God’s people are feeling the wooing and the brooding of the Holy Spirit, signaling that it is time for the Body of Christ to do as the song says: “Awake, Zion, awake; awake and trim your lamps.” At this juncture, we can embrace and identify with the words of a prophet back in about B.C.730.

 “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord, shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem: Micah 4: 1, 2. For many years now, the Holy Spirit has been stirring many, many hearts, and those hearts have been awakened as if to a new sound of praises, and an arising to the voice of HIM who calls unto us. As if saying: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in the land.” Song of Solomon 2: 10-12.

 While multitudes are vainly following the voice that heralds another chapter of man’s vain celebrations others are tuned in on the wavelength that functions on the frequency that broadcasts God’s priorities in his dealing with his Body, the Church. For many years now, a people with ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. And they have been trimming their lamps as Zion awakes for the unfolding of great things in spite of the dismal and even catastrophic world events that mar our headline news.

  Is it essential for us to evaluate the importance of having in place the order that Christ did set in the church, and placed the Holy Ghost in the midst to empower, inspire, teach, rebuke, and set in order the divine principles that form the bedrock upon which God has subsequently anchored his body? Let us remember that Christ so loved the church, that he gave himself for it; “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5: 25-27. Many have seen in scripture what the divine order of the church is, as set in place by Christ himself, and those hearts are longing for that order to be restored.

God in his wisdom has selected men and women who will be faithful, and will complete their task in the ministry, that He placed upon them as a mandate that requires each person to be faithful. Along with the five ministerial gifts, of which we have written much in these studies, God has also imparted to the Church (His Body) nine gifts of the Spirit. Thus, along with the ministry, God imparts the Spirit who task is the empower, to see and protect, and to heal and deliver which are the natural function of the church. This is not a matter to be taken lightly. While at Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church to come to him. He warned them saying: “Take heed therefore unto your selves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20: 28-30. Notice that these elders of the church were also called “overseers” not as a higher office.

 Putting more emphasis upon the need for the five ministerial gifts, and to highlight the need to have them actively working in the body of Christ, Paul explained that need in more detail. Why were the ministerial gifts given to the church in the first place? “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. For how long? 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 fulness of Christ. 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.” Ephesians 4: 12-14.

 Let us ask a question and try to give an honest answer. Have we all come in the unity of the faith? Have we managed to measure up the perfect man? Are we not still like children, being tossed about with every wind of doctrine? Why does the church seem to be maturing so very slowly? What are the flaws and hinderances that, like barriers, are set against the healthy growth of the church? (Growth, not in size, but in quality). The most important matter for us in this study, is to determine the whereabouts of the gifts that Christ gave to the church. In 1951 a group of men came to Kingston, Jamaica, and they introduced a ministry that was called “The Latter Rain” in which there was a demonstration of all 9 gifts of the Spirit.

 All kinds of supernatural events occurred in the meetings, in something that was entirely new to us. The men who brought that ministry to the island had previously met at a hotel in Philadelphia. All ten men shut themselves away in fasting and prayer, determined that they would not leave that hotel room until there was a break through. One notable member of the group was Fred Pool; another was Thomas Wyatt; (later, his wife Evelyn Wyatt had a radio program in the Los Angeles area called “The Wings of Healing”) but in Jamaica, they all appeared to be immersed and saturated in the showers produced by the falling of latter rain. I got a hold of that experience in 1951, and it has never left me on dry land. I keep the truths that came back then, and it burns within like a lamp that keeps my spirit alive and well. As we look at church history, beginning with Martin Luther, and later the Reformation and the rise of Protestantism, bringing all of that forward to our day and time, it does not take us long to discover that what we are left with does not come close to the function of the Apostolic Church of the first century. I can remember that back in London, England in 1968, the Lord spoke to my heart saying: “The man that I will use today, must be able to  stand where he is, and reach over the top of everything, back to where the apostles left off in A.D. 33: For everything in between is a mixture; and there can be no mixture in my kingdom.” The preaching of Paul was not meant to impress the educated and nobles in town. Sure, he was educated in so much, that he could have been the next ruler in Israel.

 He outlined God’s call to the ministry in the humblest of ways, not including seminarians and openly ordained men and women. He wrote saying: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound things which are mighty. That no flesh should glory in his presence.” 1^st Corinthians 1:26, 27, 29. When did Paul graduate from college, and which college did he attend to obtain his degree?

 He said: “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11, 12. There is absolutely no substitute for a personal involvement with Jesus Christ. Paul had a single encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road, and from that moment, his life was never the same. From that point forward, he deemed himself to be crucified with Christ at which point it was Christ who lived in his stead. Galatians 2:20. In deed the Holy Spirit is brooding over many hearts and is sounding like the voice of the turtle dove being heard in the land, signifying that the time for mating and populating each family has come. The rain is over and gone: flowers are blooming once more, and the wonderful news is that the doors of many hearts are opening up wide and bidding the Holy Spirit to enter and take full control over what we have been, and what we shall be. God will not rest in his work in us, until we awake in his likeness; until like Adam, we awake out of sleep only to find that we have been given a “soul-mate” in the person of the Godhead dwelling within us to ensure that the work and purpose God has placed in our trust will run its course, ending in victory as God has intended it to be. The “Perfect Man” “the Glorious Church” are God’s Master Pieces” being wrought by the very fingers of God. Don’t feel despair: He is still on the throne!

To be continued...