I have been blessed so far in reading Art Katz's book, True Fellowship: To Him Be The Glory In The Church. One of the profound things that I am beginning to realize on this type of communication is the freedom of informational flow. I guess all of you who are pros in this realm have long since been amazed at the significance of the internet. I am a new believer in the realm.My point in this thread is to identify the power of the Body of Christ. In past times, information has been restricted by the credentialed system. Information has been restricted by proximity. Information has been restricted by the printing press. No longer is this paradym true. Listen to Art Katz's comment:"It is little wonder that the institutional Church, by whatever name it is called, does not respond hospitably to God-sent apostles and prophets. Institutions demand that you go through a credentializing process through the attending of schools and seminaries. You are labeled evangelist, pastor or teacher, and get fitted into the institutional framework, but that does not mean God recognizes or authenticates your service for Him. The true Body of Christ will recognize and receive what is organically fitted for itself and will reject the thing that is organically alien. The opposite is equally true; the institutional thing cannot accommodate and receive the organic thing ?for they are diametrically opposed."This website affords an organic system which is led by the Holy Spirit and also buffeted by Satan. This represents another Branch.In ChristJeff
_________________Jeff Marshalek
Brother Jeff, you are on the right track! :)
You are labeled evangelist, pastor or teacher, and get fitted into the institutional framework, but that does not mean God recognizes or authenticates your service for Him. The true Body of Christ will recognize and receive what is organically fitted for itself and will reject the thing that is organically alien. The opposite is equally true; the institutional thing cannot accommodate and receive the organic thing ?for they are diametrically opposed."
My point in this thread is to identify the power of the Body of Christ. In past times, information has been restricted by the credentialed system. Information has been restricted by proximity. Information has been restricted by the printing press. No longer is this paradym true
_________________Chanin
Boy, I have thought about this many times. Times are definitely different because of computers. I used to hate them (dispise them) but now I see their divine purpose so clearly also. How else can a "Body of Christ" communicate and be "united" when it is scattered all over the world? Praise God for computers!
_________________Ron Halverson
The Body of Christ is essential in the kingdom of God. There are gifts of the Holy Spirit which cannot be manifested over the internet. Katz' book places critical importance on the working out of Christ's life in the Body of Christ. We are flesh and blood. We must learn to live with flesh and blood. This is a crude way of summarizing the initial chapters of this book.http://benisrael.org/OnlineBooks/truefellowship/contents.true_fellowship.htmIn ChristJeff
Ron and Jeff, I think I probably used the wrong words. Maybe I should have said "connected" instead of united. I am so appreciateive of the fact that I have been connected with many true believers from all over the world- of which I would never have had the opportunity without the internet.I have actually had contact with many more sincere believers online than in person. Sadly, I wish I could say that there is real Christian fellowship to be had around where I live.
We are flesh and blood. We must learn to live with flesh and blood.