Someone once told me that he was thinking about joining The Church of God, but there wasn't a church nearby....so he may have to pastor his own. I told him..."Well, you might as well start now on the church books you would need to study to become a pastor."...and gave him the names of the book and where to order them. I knew that if he studied those books...one of two things would happen. He would fall in love with The Church all over again....or he would reject it. Either way...the decision would be made.
I've also heard of some detractors who have rather aggressivly (and with negative implications) question The Church of God regarding her direction, plans, programs, training, etc....
The answer is simple:
The Church of God's responsibilities, purpose, scriptural directive is to do the following:
1. To keep and guard the truth.
Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
2. To Evangelize the world with the full gospel.
Mat 28:19, 20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mat 24:13,14 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
*Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, resulting in the born again experience and making the seeker a new creature in Christ. (Repentance, Justification, Regeneration, Born Again.)
*Sanctification as a second definite work of grace, providing deliverance from the sinful Adamic nature.
*Baptism of the Holy Ghost (subsequent to sanctification) with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
*Holiness, without which no man shall see God.
3. To gather God's sheep into one body, one fold.
Eph 1:9, 10 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 3:9,11 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
4. To provide ministry for the perfection of the saints.
Eph 4:11-16
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
(16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
And later....
5. To provide government for the millennial reign.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (taken from The Church, the Body of Christ; Lessson 12, pg. 62-65)
Plenty to keep us busy until the Rapture and beyond.
Ever since studying all my BTI books and being called to preach...I've become a renewed Flag waver. I used to enjoy watching others wave the flag, but I'm going to have to get one like my dad and carry it around with me.
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