Ecclessia
THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY GHOST IN THE BODY OF CHRIST ACTS 2:1-/F/, Acts 1:8, Joel 2:28
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, along side God the Father and Jesus Christ. He is described in the Bible as a comforter, counselor, and helper to believers. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the life of Christians, guiding them towards truth and empowering them to live out their faith. In particular, the Holy Spirit has an important ministry within the body of Christ, which refers to the community of believers around the world.
This ministry involves bringing unity among believers, equipping them with spiritual gifts for service, and convicting them of sin when necessary. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit works to glorify Jesus Christ and bring people into a closer relationship with Him.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience from salvation and occurs when a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit. This experience empowers believers to witness about Christ and live a holy life. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is often accompanied by speaking in tongues, which is the supernatural ability to speak in an unknown language as given by the Holy Spirit. This gift and others are given to believers through the Holy Spirit's ministry within the body of Christ. Believers need to seek this baptism and be open to receiving all that God has for them through His Spirit.
BEING LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Being led by the Holy Spirit is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith. It involves surrendering our will to God and allowing Him to guide us in all aspects of life. The Holy Spirit communicates with us through prayer, scripture, and other believers, providing direction and wisdom for decision-making. When we are led by the Holy Spirit, we can experience peace and joy even in difficult circumstances. Additionally, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live a holy life and bear fruit that glorifies God. As members of the body of Christ, we must seek to be led by the Holy Spirit to fulfill our role within the community of believers and bring honor to Jesus Christ.
DEMONSTRATING THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Demonstrating the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit is another important aspect of the ministry of the Holy Ghost in the body of Christ. As believers, we are called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ and share His love with others. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do this effectively by giving us the boldness and wisdom to speak truthfully about our faith. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can also perform miracles and healings that demonstrate God's love and power to those around us. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can bring glory to Jesus Christ and draw people into a closer relationship with Him.
THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT PART 2
The difference between the Spirit within the believer and the Spirit upon the believer. The difference between the Spirit within the believer and the Spirit upon the believer is an important distinction in understanding the ministry of the Holy Ghost in the body of Christ. The Spirit within the believer refers to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that comes with salvation. This means that every believer has access to the guidance, comfort, and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives. On the other hand, the Spirit upon the believer refers to a special endowment of power that comes from being baptized in the Holy Spirit. This power enables believers to effectively witness Christ and demonstrate His love through miraculous signs and wonders. Both aspects of the Holy Spirit's ministry are crucial for believers to fulfill their role within the body of Christ and bring glory to Jesus Christ.
The infilling of the Spirit: The infilling of the Spirit is a continuous process that involves being filled with the Holy Spirit daily. This means that we must continually surrender our will to God and allow Him to work in and through us. The infilling of the Spirit empowers us to live a holy life, bear fruit that glorifies God, and effectively witness for Christ. It also enables us to experience peace and joy even in difficult circumstances. As members of the body of Christ, we must seek to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can fulfill our role within the community of believers and bring honor to Jesus Christ.
The spiritual gifts: The Holy Spirit's ministry within the body of Christ also involves equipping believers with spiritual gifts for service. These gifts are given by the Holy Spirit and enable believers to effectively serve and build up the body of Christ. Some examples of spiritual gifts include prophecy, healing, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, working of miracles, and discerning of spirit. Believers need to discover their spiritual gifts and use them for the benefit of others, as well as to bring glory to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit works through these gifts to accomplish His purposes within the body of Christ and in the world around us. The spiritual gifts can be grouped into three categories. They are:
The power gifts:The power gifts are the type of gifts that enable believers to be able to perform miracles signs and wonders in the body of Christ. Those who operate this kind of gifts are said to represent the hand of God in the church. They are faith, healing, and working miracles.
The vocal gifts: These are the types of gifts that have supernatural insight and manifestation that are manifested by word of mouth by the inspiration of the Spirit of God to deliver his message to his people. Through the inspiration of the Spirit of God, one can receive the remarkable gifts of supernatural insight and manifestation, which are spread by word of mouth. They are prophecy, diverse kinds of tongues, and interpretations of tongues.
The revelatory gifts are those that endow believers with the supernatural ability to discern and understand the divine will of God in various situations.
By: Jonathan Combert
ESCHATOLOGY
The Second Coming of Christ
Text: Thessalonians 4:13-17, Revelation 3:10,
"The Second Coming of Christ" is a phrase commonly used to refer to the anticipated return of Jesus Christ to Earth, as prophesied in the Bible.
RAPTURE: The concept of the Rapture is closely tied to the Second Coming of Christ. It refers to the belief that before Jesus returns, there will be a sudden gathering of all true believers into heaven. This event is also known as the "catching away" or "translation" of believers. While the idea of the Rapture is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, it is derived from various passages that describe a sudden disappearance of believers and a meeting with Christ in the air. Though the word 'Rapture' is not mentioned in the Bible its concept is biblical.
The first and the second phase of his coming: The Second Coming of Christ has two phases. There is the Rapture and his return to battle against Gog and Magog. (The Battle of Armageddon). All nations will come together to fight against his chosen nation Israel, and that is why he will come to fight for Israel.
The seven years of the beast
TRIBULATION: The Rapture, according to Christian eschatology, will be seven years known as the Tribulation. During this time, the Antichrist will rise to power and establish a one-world government. This period is believed to be marked by great suffering and persecution for those who refused to worship the Antichrist or take his mark. The Tribulation will come to an end with the Battle of Armageddon, which will result in Christ's ultimate victory over evil and the establishment of his kingdom on Earth.
PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE: Another belief related to the Second Coming of Christ is the idea of a pre-Tribulation Rapture. This theory suggests that true believers will be taken up to heaven before the seven-year Tribulation period begins, thus avoiding the suffering and persecution that will occur during this time. Proponents of this theory point to various passages in the Bible, including 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and Revelation 3:10, as evidence for their beliefs.
THE MILLENNIUM: After the Battle of Armageddon, Christ will establish his kingdom on Earth for a period of one thousand years, known as the Millennium. During this time, Satan will be bound and unable to deceive the nations. The world will experience peace and prosperity like never before, and Christ will rule with justice and righteousness. At the end of the Millennium, Satan will be released for a short time to deceive the nations once again, but he will ultimately be defeated and cast into the lake of fire.
THE BEMA JUDGMENT: After the Rapture and the Tribulation, there will be a judgment of believers known as the Bema Judgment. This judgment is not meant to determine salvation, as believers have already been saved by grace through faith in Christ. Rather, it will be a time for believers to receive rewards for their works done in faithfulness to Christ during their earthly lives. The Bema Judgment is based on passages such as 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:10. It is a reminder that our actions on earth matter and that we should strive to live our lives in a way that honours and glorifies God.
JUDGMENT DAY: The Second Coming of Christ also includes the concept of Judgment Day, where all people who have ever lived will stand before God to be judged according to their deeds. Those who have put their faith in Christ will receive eternal life in heaven, while those who have rejected him will face eternal punishment in hell. This is a sobering reminder that we must all prepare ourselves for Christ's return and live our lives by his teachings.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES: Many Christians believe that we are currently living in what is known as the "end times, "a period leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. They point to various signs described in the Bible, such as wars and rumours of wars, natural disasters, and an increase in wickedness and immorality. While no one knows exactly when Christ will return, these signs serve as a reminder that we should always be ready for his coming.
OUR RESPONSE: As believers in Jesus Christ, our response to his Second Coming should be one of joy and anticipation. We should eagerly await his return while also sharing his message of salvation with others so they too can experience eternal life with him. We must also strive to live holy lives that honour God and reflect his love for those around us. May we all be found faithful when he comes again!
Some possible questions to ask
Are you ready for his Second Coming?
Should your works be tested with fire what will be your reward?
Will you be raptured?
What would you do in case you are not raptured?
How are you responding to your devine call?
Are you truly for Christ or are you for the Antichrist?
How are you going to end your service on Earth?
How would you receive him in case he appears today?
Does he recognise you? If yes, then who does he see you to be?
What is the purpose of your call?
Eld. Jonathan Combert
THE GRACE THAT SETTLES ALL MATTERS
THE GRACE THAT SETTLES ALL MATTERS AND GIVES THE POWER TO LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 16:5-13, 17:17-58, 1John4:4
HIGHLIGHTS
INTRODUCTION
- The Meaning Of Divine Grace
- The Types Of Divine Grace
- The Importance Of Divine Grace
- Some Facts About Grace
INTRODUCTION
Grace is an essential aspect of our Christian journey, as it serves as the divine force that enables ordinary individuals to undergo profound transformation into entirely new beings. This transformative power of grace has the remarkable ability to resolve difficult and challenging situations, bringing about peace and calmness to hearts that are troubled. It acts in such a mysterious and gentle manner that individuals often find themselves changed for the better without even comprehending the exact reasons or processes behind their transformation.
THE MEANING OF DIVINE GRACE
Grace is often described as the kindness, mercy, and unmerited favor that God bestows upon humanity. This divine grace implies that a person is gifted with blessings or advantages they have not earned or deserve by their deeds. It is an act of generosity where goodness is extended freely, overlooking faults or shortcomings. The concept of grace emphasizes the benevolence and compassion inherent in divine interactions with people, offering them support and abundance without the expectation of anything in return.
THE TYPES OF DIVINE GRACE
Salvational Grace: Salvational grace refers to the divine help that humanity receives as a result of Christ's sacrificial death and His triumphant resurrection, which grants eternal salvation to the otherwise spiritually destitute human race. This grace is a cornerstone of Christian faith, symbolizing the unmerited favor that God extends to all, offering redemption and eternal life to those who choose to believe and accept it. It signifies God’s immense love and mercy, providing a path to spiritual renewal and everlasting communion with Him. Ephesians 2:8-10
God's Provisional Grace: God's Provisional Grace is a form of grace extended by God to individuals based on their particular needs and circumstances. This grace is often manifested in situations where a person might feel they have reached the end of their resources or alternatives. In such moments of vulnerability and desperation, God steps in to transform the situation into something manageable and even beautiful. Through His provision, the challenges faced become bearable, and the individual can find renewed strength and hope to continue forward. It’s a testament to the compassionate and intervening nature of divine grace, ensuring that no one is left without necessary support in times of hardship. 2Corinthian 9:8, Philippians 4:19
Vanquishing Grace: It is a special kind of grace that the Lord graciously grants to an individual, enabling them to triumph over their adversaries through divine intervention. In most situations of this nature, the Lord takes it upon Himself to fight the battles on behalf of the individual, showcasing His immense power and compassion. 1Samuel 17
The Special Grace Of God: The special grace of God is a remarkable type of divine favor that distinctly sets apart ordinary individuals from those who are truly blessed by His presence. It is a unique grace that ensures that, regardless of the challenges or obstacles they may face in their lives, they continue to thrive and succeed in all their endeavors. This grace serves as a powerful force that not only differentiates but also elevates the lives of these individuals, allowing them to rise above their circumstances and achieve prosperity in everything they undertake. Gen. 26:1-33
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVINE GRACE
Grace plays an essential role in the Christian journey for many profound reasons. Firstly, it enables individuals to live fulfilling and meaningful lives by aligning their actions and purpose with divine will.
Additionally, grace possesses the transformative power to improve one's life, bringing about positive changes that reflect spiritual growth and maturity.
It serves as a testament to God's existence and His almighty power, strengthening one's faith and conviction.
Furthermore, grace empowers believers to bear witness to God's glory, sharing their experiences and testimonies of His goodness with others.
It also reveals the depth of God's mercy and graciousness, as He continually extends kindness and compassion to His people.
Lastly, grace acts as a formidable force against adversaries, silencing critics and putting them to shame by demonstrating God's unwavering support and protection for His followers.
SOME FACTS ABOUT GRACE
The Components Of Grace
Grace embodies various elements including the divine favor, benevolence, and divine presence. These are the fundamental constituents that underpin the workings of grace.
By: Eld. Jonathan Combert
