The Disciple
He that has ears to hear let him hear what the spirit says to the Church
What does this mean? Simply this; those who God draws will also have ears to hear for it has been given to them that they should receive the truths of God.
Matthew 23:
8 But be not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
We are Disciples of none but Christ, Neither are we called to disciple any man. We are called to reveal Christ (preach the gospel) to others. Not to disciple men, but to call them to become disciples of Christ. We become a disciple of Christ when we receive the spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christ is our Rabbi for it is he that teaches us and leads us in the way of Christ.
Matthew
28:19 Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
Mark
16:15 and he said unto them, Go into all of the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Luke
12:12 For the Holy Spirit shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say.
John
14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, what ever I have said to you.
1 John
2:27 But the anointing which you have received of him remains in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall remain in him.
The Spirit of Christ also sends teachers into the body to reveal Gods truths. The body is responsible for discerning the word by the spirit of Christ within. If the spirit does not bear witness to the teaching do not receive it. Gods teachers are faithful and do not teach their own doctrine. Those who teach their own doctrine are certainly not teaching under the leading of the spirit of Christ.
Those who teach fallacy will be judged harshly. Paul warned that false prophets / wolves would rise up not sparing the flock. They seek a following (disciples) and teach their own doctrine not Christs. (Acts 20:29-30) Who is he that seeks to lay hold on the flock of God? Who will disciple the saints of God to himself? He who teaches error should be avoided. Denominations are not from God but from men who have subverted the counsel of God and draw away those who are gullible. God has never sanctioned the denominating of the body of Christ. Division is not of God, in fact Paul tells us to warn the divisive brothers twice and then reject them. (Titus 3:10)
I have heard it spoken many times that no denomination has it all right. I have to agree with that statement and also add that no denomination is of God. Most denominations are formed when God reveals a truth to a Brother and he in turn reveals it to his Brothers. This usually brings about a movement of the spirit in the body (a period of growth). Unfortunately what usually happens shortly is that some try to market the new teaching in some way. They name it, define and explain it with countless teaching seminars and books which they charge for, this one is carnal and has received his reward.
Some upon hearing the new revelation will refuse to receive it because it does not align with their ways and teachings. Some will withstand by human reasoning those who desire to follow the leading of the spirit and be somewhat successful, this one is carnal and condemned for subverting the body.
There is but one body and one spirit. The spirit of Christ leads us through this wilderness as the Israelites were lead by the pillar of cloud and fire. Those who would go their own way cut themselves off from the Church (congregation) of God. So it is with those who resist the leading of the spirit of Christ.
Brothers we do not follow any man but rather the spirit of Christ. When the spirit decides to move the body with a new revelation lets remember to follow. We have an example in the children of Israel being led through the wilderness by the pillar of cloud and smoke. When the pillar of cloud and smoke began to move the children of Israel had to pack up and follow. There was no man appointed to stand up and say follow me for I know the way of God but they were lead by the spirit.
On the other hand if some had decided not to follow the pillar of cloud and smoke remained in an old and dead camp. No daily manna would come from heaven into this camp. The spiritual rock from which the children of Israel drank was gone from the presence of this dead camp also. It too followed the pillar of smoke and fire. Nothing remains in the old camp from which they were called but death and memories of the way things were in the good old days.
Today men who remain in the dead camps want to revive the old memories / anointing. They rehearse the ways of the old camp and name it, often after the servant who delivered the message. Those who follow the spirit closely are called by the name of God their savior for they have not taken his name in vain nor have they taken the name of another for he is their husband and they are faithful to him. If you follow the spirit how can you be deceived? It is the spirit that gives life to the disciple of Christ. Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
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Kenny
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