050 - We can transform the ministry of Christ in Job or Post?

We can transform the ministry of Christ in Job or Post?

INTRODUCTION

You may ask: what is the difference?

Job is something which the individual exercises during a given time period with a view to earn rewards.

Post is the obligation assumed in relation to someone or something, most of the times with the purpose of exercising dominion over the others.

The ministry of Christ, on the other hand, it is to be exercised 24 hours per day, with a view solely to serve (instead of ordering - see 1Peter 5.3) and without expecting any reward (but simply for the privilege of being useful in really noble and vital something instead of wasting time with little petty and cruel sins).

It is exactly this that treats the excerpt below:

EXPLAINING EPHESIANS 4.11-14?

·       "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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 4.11-14).

 

The majority of individuals use this excerpt to justify the existence of religious institutions. However, a more careful examination of the passage shows exactly the opposite.

Let's look at how the passage starts:

 

·       "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." (Ephesians 4.1-3).

 

Notice that Paul begins by saying he is a prisoner of Christ, and in verse eight he says that Jesus led captivity captive. Now, what captivity we are talking about?

To understand this, see what Jesus says:

 

·       "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10.9).

·       "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." (Luke 15.4-7).

 

There is greater joy in heaven for a righteous which, having contact with other wicked ones, ended up sinning, than over ninety and nine righteous which, having been isolated in the desert not to defile themselves with sinners, not have to repent.

Note that Jesus did not put the sheep into the fold. On the contrary: those who enter the sheepfold of religion by Jesus enters, exits (taking the sheep with them) and find pasture outside the religion.

Therefore, the captivity is the religious system. Jesus freed us from the yoke of religious system and asks us to take His yoke smooth and light (Matt 11.30). Instead of being slaves of the Babylonian System, we are now bounded to Christ (see Rom 6.22).

But what Paul meant by this? The problem is that many Ephesians were behaving exactly as the mundane. Then he said:

 

·       "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." (Ephesians 4.17-19).

·       "But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." (Ephesians 4.20-25).

 

To say "and I say this" Paul is wanting to emphasize the fact that Jesus has given some apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and doctors should never be seen as the mundane ones do in business system.

He still makes clear: "But ye have not so learned Christ;”, that is, we should never make of the spiritual things an opportunity for us to try to find our place in this world and have a life of luxury and pleasure or highlight in this world (which contradicts Matthew 10.39).

In other words, the ministerial gifts are not the privilege of one over the other. It is not an exclusive gift for a group of privileged, but for all (see Ephesians 4.15,16).

 

·       "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 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." (Eph 4.15,16).

 

Note how the religious model that exists here has nothing to do with the Sacred Scripture. Once that those who belong to Christ is part of His body (Rom 9.95), so there is not this story of a privileged group to stay serving others.

In the true Church, each participates:

 

·       "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." (1 Corinthians 14.26).

 

There isn’t the domain of one on the other:

 

·       "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28). 

·       "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." (1Peter 5.3).

 

It never was Eternal One’s plan that someone was more important than the someone else, let alone dominate them:

 

·       “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” (1Cor 12.22-25).

 

Jesus is God of equity.

Somebody could question: “but Moses was elected by Eternal One to lead Israel”.

However, it never was plan of the Eternal One that Moses dominated:

 

·       “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” (Exodus 19.5,6).

 

He wanted all Israel (all, and not only a few) was a priesthood kingdom, that is, His Church. This only didn’t happen because they were very much attached to this world:

 

·       “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” (Exodus 20.18,19).

·        “For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)” (Hebrew 12.18-21).

This isn’t all! Do you remember what the Eternal One said when Israel wished to constitute over them a king?

 

·       “But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” (1Sam 8.6,7).

 

And when the people, in the Testament of the Favor of the Eternal One, decided to leave all responsibility to the apostles?

 

·       “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” (Acts 4.32-35).

·       And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” (Acts 6.1,2).

 

The truth is that it’s not reasonable that somebody leave the prayer and the Holy Scripture, let alone neglect in serve the others. On the contrary: the essence of the gospel is constituted of the personal relationship with Jesus in favor of serve each other (see all these references about the exercise of the love each other – John 13.34,35; 15.12,13; Romans 12.10; 13.8; 15.7,14; 16.16; 1Cor 11.33; 12.25; 16.20; 2Cor 13.12; Gal 5.13; 6.2; Eph 4.2,32; 5.21; Colossians 3.13,16; 1Thessalonians 4.9,18; 5.11; Hebrews 3.13; 10.24,25; James 5.16; 1Peter 1.22; 5.5,14; 1John 3.11,23; 4.7,11; 2John 1.5).

No one was rised by Eternal One to be super-believer.

The Revelation is clear: only the Eternal One is worth of having in His power everything that can put a human being over someone else.

 

·       “Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” (Rev 7.12).

 

And the writer of Hebrews adds:

 

·       “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” (Hebrews 13.10-13).

 

Note that everybody that insist on living in the Old Testament (whose focus is the communion with the Eternal One around the temple that was in the camp at Jerusalém) don’t have part in the New Alliance.

It’s necessary go out of the camp of the religious system to we can meet Jesus.

 

Back in the parable of the hundred sheep, note that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, finding the lost sheep, does not lead it to the sheepfold or back to the desert where all the ninety and nine were, but leads to inside of His home.

Finally, notice how at the beginning of Ephesians four Paul says to we walk as it is worthy of the vocation with which we have been called. Supplementing with Corinthians:

 

·       "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." (1 Corinthians 7.20).

 

That is, there isn’t the story of a brother start as a member of the group of praise, be promoted to deacon, then to pastor.

Many times Paul shows that his ministry was not something that he fought to achieve or that some spiritual leader gave him, but it was given by Jesus:

 

·       "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God." (Romans 1.1).

·       "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother," (1 Corinthians 1.1).

·       “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:” (2Cor 1.1).

·       "Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)" (Gal 1.1).

·       "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:” (Eph 1.1).

·       " Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother" (Col 1.1).

·       “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;" (1 Tim 1.1).

·       "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus" (2Tim 1.1).

 

To sum up: every true converted has at least one gift, talent and ministry, which must be exercised in the life of each other when and where they meet.

HOW TO EXPLAIN 1TIMOTHY 3.11,12?

·       "This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1 Tim 3.1-7). 

·       "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." (1Tim 3.8,9).

·       "Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well." (1 Tim 3.11,12).

 

Many use this passage to justify the existence of religious institutions. However, on the contrary to popular belief, Paul was not allowing the existence of religious leaders, but condemning. See how it begins 1Timothy 3 and how Titus 1 continues:

 

·       "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." (1Tim 3:1).

·       "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." (Titus 1.10,11).

 

Notice how persons were lifting themselves, both at Ephesus as at Crete, wanting to dominate the brothers through the distorted teaching of Holy Scripture. Many false teachers were raising (1Tim 1.7), as at Galatia (Gal 4.17) and at Rome (Romans 2.17-23), to attract the disciples after themselves.

It is faced with this panorama that Paul writes. What he is saying is that, although crave the episcopate (i.e., to be supervising the brothers in order to keep everyone in the correct vision and concepts) is an excellent work (because this implies in seeking in Jesus a worthy life), comes the question: who really is worthy of this?

The revelation is clear:

 

·       "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Rev 4.11)

·       "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (Rev 5.12.13).

·       "And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." (Rev 7.10).

·       "Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." (Rev 7.12). 

 

Once that only Jesus is worthy to receive power and riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, praise, salvation,  thanksgiving, what is left to the religious leader? This is what Paul tries to show to everyone: who is it able to fulfill all the requirements for exercising the diaconate? Nobody is able to meet all these requirements, let alone to satisfy the requirements of the bishops who are more severe.

The idea is that everyone would be ashamed and, instead of thinking to dominate over each other, they decide to humiliate and serve each other in the face of the recognition of their insignificance.

For you who insists on being religious leader, I ask you: have you fulfill all requirements that Paul quoted? Be honest with yourself!!!

In addition, even if Paul were encouraging Ephesus to elect religious leaders (as, indeed, many thought), I ask you: What was the result?

Simply the brothers of Ephesus left the first love (Eph 2.4) and become legalistic, coming to be severely rebuked by Jesus under penalty of having your luminaire removed (Rev 2.5).

HOW TO EXPLAIN HEBREWS 10.24,25

·       "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Heb 10.24,25).

 

If this has to do with evangelical religious institutions, comes the question: which of them the individual should not leave? Here it says not to leave "our congregations", but "our congregation".

And if the individual discover that his evangelical religious institution apostatized from the faith?

Besides, stop to think: since each religious institution says something different, which one is right? The Holy Scripture says that there is only one God, one Lord, one Spirit, one faith. Consequently, there is only one truth. Jesus did not say that He is the truths or a truth, but "THE" truth (John 14.6).

If spiritual gifts were given to confirm the word of Christ (Mark 16.20; Heb 2.4), I ask you: what word Jesus is confirming, since there are so many religious institutions affirming that the Holy Spirit is operating there?

Someone might ask: "It is clear that there are errors, now that we are at the stage of learning".

However, what did Paul say:

 

·       "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 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." (Eph 4.15,16).

 

Realize that the true Body of Christ is in constant growth. And what we see in religious institutions? 

 

·       One insists in saying that women have to wear the veil;

·       Other one remains recriminating everyone who does not keep the Sabbath;

·       Another one keeps defending the theology of prosperity and diverting people from their personal blame, stating that all the evils that happen in their lives is guilt of Ha-Satan.

 

Now, I wonder: if the Holy Spirit is operating in these places, then why even today He did not reveal the absurdities that commit in these and other denominations? Why can't you see people being separated from truth for the exclusive use of Jesus?

Fans of religious institutions claim that the Eternal is operating there, but year in and year out believers in Jesus are going from bad to worse (as Paul prophesied - 2Tim 3.13). It was expected that the Holy Spirit will operate at the heart of these brothers His purity and holiness (Titus 3.4-6).

And when there is a change is always for the worse.

Brethren, think: when the writer of Hebrews says: "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together", with certainty, it is not referring to anything of what you see out there today. This model of religious institution arose from Constantine, the Roman emperor.

Before that, the brothers gathered in houses:

 

·       "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 16.3).

·       “Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ." (Romans 16.5).

·       "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," (Acts 2.46).

 

Someone might argue: but they also gathered in the temple.

However, think: at the time of the apostles, how many temples are there throughout Judea? Only one at Jerusalem.

Even if someone consider using the temple of Solomon or of Herod as an excuse to justify the existence of temples, so why religious do not follow all the guidance given in Holy Scripture?

 

·       "And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always." (Deuteronomy 14.23).

·       "But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death." (Num 1.50,51).

 

Repair as there could only be temple at Jerusalem, only the priests could minister in the interior of the temple and only the levites could help the priests.

The place where Jesus or the apostles were was in the courtyard of the temple.

As you can see, the model of religious institution adopted has no support in Holy Scripture.

But this is not everything!

Someone might ask: "But what is wrong in creating a religious institution or belong to one? Simply that everything that is taught and done it is in full agreement with Scripture and all is well."

In the first place: Have you noticed that there is not a religious institution that works in total harmony with the Holy Scripture? If this was a good thing, Jesus would have founded one or ordered that this was done (either personally or through the apostles).

Beloved brother, believe in what says the Holy Scripture: 

 

·       "Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods." (Deut 12.30,31).

 

Never try to seek inspiration in pagan cults that the heathens provide to their gods in order to find the best way to serve Jesus. Anyone who has tried to do this was punished severely:

 

·       "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD." (Lev 10.1,2).

 

This without counting the destruction that occurred during the deluge, the Tower of Babel and Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim. Have you thought about the reason that stimulated the Eternal One to act in this way? 

 

·       "And God said unto Noah, the end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth." (Genesis 6.13).

·       "And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded." (Gen 11.4,5).

·       "And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know." (Gen 18.20,21). 

 

In all these cases, the brothers were doing exactly the opposite of what the Eternal One wanted:

 

·       In the deluge they were praying for the Eternal One asking the end of all flesh, when His will was to give opportunity for all to be saved (1 Peter 3.20);

·       At the tower of Babel they were looking for:

o   make a name for themselves, when the only name to be exalted is the Eternal One’s name (see Phil 2.10);

o   They were trying to reach the sky through the efforts of the flesh. However, the worship is in spirit and in truth (John 5.23,24);

o   They were fighting for not being scattered over the face of the whole earth, when it was exactly this that the Eternal One commanded (Gen 1.28) and Jesus ratified (Matthew 28.18-20).

·       In Sodom was having far cry by reason of the multiplication of evil. It is good to remember that of the crowd that came in with Lot in Sodom, only Lot and his two daughters were saved, and yet for mercy (Gen 19.25,16). All the others were corrupted. Obviously, whoever gets stuck the prosperity of Sodom, only has the capacity to pray by evil of those who deprive them of this prosperity.

 

Do you see how is harmful to worship and serve Jesus with the wrong motivation?

And now let us admit: What was the crime committed by the people of the tower of Babel? The same which is committed by religious institutions (especially the gospel): wanting to make a name for themselves (Assembly of God, Methodist, Universal, etc.) and join the brothers around them in order to reach the heaven through physical rituals.

Even Jesus saying that is to go into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature (Mark 16.15), yet the religious leaders insist on calling individuals to the temple, having the fallacy to say that it is necessary to be affiliated to an institution to be saved.

Beloved brother, in the name of Jesus, meditate with calm on Holy Scripture and you will see that nothing that is done in this religious institutions was ordained by Jesus and the apostles. It’s not in Holy Scripture that they took inspiration for doing everything they do.

But after all, what does it mean Hebrews 10.25?

In short, what the writer of Hebrews means is that we never should abandon the individuals that the Eternal One bring to us only because they sin.

Rather, we should stay sturdy in Christ, without leaving ourselves of everybody, so that we urge ourselves to the love and to the good works.

HOW TO EXPLAIN TITUS 1.5-9

• "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: if any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Titus 1.5-9).

 

This passage is very strong and apparently suggests that Paul really wanted that priests (bishop, elder, helper, reverend, etc.) was established in Crete. However, what Paul wanted was that Titus did the same that Adam (Genesis 2.19): seek to fathom each Cretan brother in order to minister effectively the teaching of Sacred Scripture in the life of one by one.

The idea was that Tito would see that there is nobody good enough (Lk 18.19) that was worthy of controlling the Church of Christ, and, thus, realize the importance of the mutual zeal.

Someone could still ask: but, what about the "churches" mentioned by John:

 

·       "Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." (Rev 1.11).

 

Unfortunately, the term "churches" was poorly translated. After all, if the Church is the Bride of Christ, there is no possibility of having more than one. Therefore, which was translated by "churches" should have been translated by another word (such as "oholyao", for example). It is a question of brothers in Christ who met in homes in each of these cities.

And the angel of each one of these denominations is each member of oholyao when they rises to bring the good news and proclaim peace. The fact of being mentioned "the angel" (and not "the angels) is because all must watch each other as if they were the only one to do this. 

And when someone converts to Christ, where they should go to?

Look at the Holy Scripture:

 

·       "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." (John 6.68).

·       "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11.28).

·       "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." (John 6.44,45).

·       "But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:" (Eph 4.20,21).

 

Note that it is to us go to Christ. Jesus did not ordain anyone go to any religious institution, but to go directly to Him to hear Him, be taught by Him and guided by His Spirit (Rom 8.14).

If Jesus were to stay there in the heaven using only a few privileged to speak with the brothers, and this in a specific place, it didn’t need Jesus came and suffered all that suffered. I could continue in the Testament of the law. 

Jesus gave His life for, personally, redeeming us, that is, give us His true life that frees us from the curse of sin. In other words, the framework of the New Covenant is intimate communion with Christ.

 

How to quit preaching the gospel with only small groups?

 

The commandment to go into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature (Matt 28.19; Mk 16.15) is for all those who believe continually, wherever they are. Jesus will build His Church, that is, undertake to provide the resources and lead each one to where He wants, without the need for a system organized by man.

 

But the Holy Scripture does not encourage to serve Christ?

 

Many misunderstand the issue of "serve to Christ":

 

• "But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved." (John 5.34).
• "I receive not honour from men." (John 5.41).
• "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;" (Acts 17.24,25).
• "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1John 2.27).

 

Jesus Himself was clear to show that He is not served by human hands.

When Paul speaks that he was servant of Christ, what he was saying is that he rested and hoped in Jesus so that Christ could do, through him, everything that liked Him.

Following Jesus is not religion, but to live the character and word of Christ in every moment of our life.

 

• "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8.32-36).

 

Anyone who believes in Jesus is free to stay in the Father's house permanently, namely, attending to Jesus and those who belong to Him in order to serve them. It isn't as a religious person providing a service and returning to live their life, but someone who stays all the time due to already be in place that belongs to them.

It isn’t like someone who tries to live two lives: the secular and the religious one.

Rather, it is someone who takes care of those whom the Father gives them all the time and in every detail, living the ministry that has been entrusted to them exactly where they are at any moment.

Finally, the education, dissemination and the practice of Sacred Scripture is of extreme importance. However, it should never exceed the intimate communion with Jesus and the being guided by Him 24 hours. Remember that Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph of Egypt never had the Holy Scripture and yet were great men of the Eternal One? And even the other characters of the Holy Scripture that the Eternal One used, none of them had the complete and Sacred Scripture, however, were prominent.

Sacred Scripture is important because it leads us to Jesus:

 

• "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." (Gal 3,24).
• "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:" (2Peter 1.19).

 

So, do not commit the crime of transforming the Holy Scripture in religion.