Listener

Hi! I am Evelyn from Baltimore, MD. I am a member of the Bibleway Free Will Baptist Church. Since my husband's illness, I have not been able to attend Church services or the Bible Studies. This Internet Bible study has allowed me to study at the times I am able regardless of the time. I am looking forward to the spiritual blessings God has in store for my husband and me. To all of you be blessed and be a blessing!

Evaluation Questions The most significant impact of this Vision of the Church Bible Study for me has been the comparison of the relationship of a husband and wife and Jesus and the Church. They became one gave a marvelous revelation to my thiking about my local Church and the Church Universal. I thought negatively about the local church and its members, about denominations and their "hangups" and not realize I am also being negative about my own body since we are one in Christ. What effects any part of the body effects all. I now see every one in the Body of Christ as a part of me, My attitudes should reflect the love I have for Christ. In addition to love, my thinking should be one of humility, patience and forbearance. Unity of the Body is now my focus! Christ is not divided! After the study, I now view the local church, as well as the Universal Church, as God has ordained and prepared for it to be. And that is Oneness in Christ! There is no respect of persons, denominations, traditional backgrounds, cultural backgrounds, etc. Jesus saves all who would accept Him. Prayer, obedience and the Word of God should be my focus. Cooperation with the Holy Spirit should be my aim. After all, it is His job to convince not mine. He works where I can not reach. My responsibility is to be an example of the believer! The Word which is the sword of the Spirit "is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the "breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit , and to joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature]. exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whiom we have to do." (Hebrew 4:12,13)Amplified God bless you Pastor Wilson. And God blessed all those who have had a part in this Study. May we be fruitful chilren of Light.

Q6aThe sense in which we should love the Church because it is our body is by carefully protecting and cherishing it as Christ does. And we are one in Him Q6bYes, becuse we are part of Christ's Body. Q6cThis kind of love will produce a profound action by reshaping our thinking about our own congregations and the Church Universal and bring about the Unity God has ordained. Q6dWe need to repent of despising the Church and begin to love her aright because we are Christ's -- His glorious Bride and we are visible representatives of Jesus Christ on earth. The glory of the Lord needs to be manifested by the Church to the world. After all we were created for His Glory -- a Glory not to be hid but to be visible -- a light that shines upon a hill. What we do or do not do affects the Body because we are ONE.

Q4aThe Word will convict us, instruct us, comfort us, teach us, and "spank" us. The Word will chasten! We must abide in Christ and He in us. Everything necessary is in the Word! We simply need to obey it! Q4bHaving good pastors and teachers. The congregation needs to be taught! The congregation grows when it is taught and when it obeys what is taught. Q4cUsing it in Love and relying on the Holy Spirirl to do His job. After all He was sent to convict the world of sin, of judgment and of righteousnesds! Often we try to do the work of the Holy Spirit instead of living a committed life.

Q3aChristlikeness! Q3bIt is holy because Christ sacrificed for her and is manifested to the world because of its actions that are seen. Q3cObeying the Word of God! Everything is covered in the Word! And in particular, loving others as Christ Loved Us. We should be willing to minister love and not be judgmental towards. We need to pray for them and show them the way by our actions. Also, who are we to judge another man's servant? God alone is able to keep us from falling and present us faultless before the presence of his Glory!

Q2aHe gave up everything when he give up his will and submitted to the will of the Father to minister and give his Life a ramson for many, saying "thy will be done." My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish His work (ohn 4:34) For I came down from Heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me John 6:38) Christ Jesus being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, and being fashioned as a man, he humbled himself, and was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemn sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who would walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit (Romans 8:3,4) Q2bHe is so committed in His love for us that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him hould not perish but have everlasting life. The sacrifice was altruistic in that it as done out of his Love for us and self because we were created for his glory.

Q1aVoluntarily placing oneself under another. To release or surrender one's one right and will. q1bLordship - have him not as saviour only but Lord of my life - submit as a reverence to Him. q1cA congregation that seriously submits its orporate life to Christ would look like Christ, would have Christ's likeness look as part of the family of the living God. It entails our corporate focus on Christ and out of our reverence to Him we submit one to another. Q1dChrist being Head of the Church in actual pracyi ce mans showing unity of the Body with one another. As we submit to His Headship as our Savior and Lord, as our ruler, our sustainer we will grow up in Him.

Q5aIt is a picture of the Future. But we should start being a reflection of the church in its glory so that othets will be drawn to the light. Out lives are hid in Christ with God. The Church then is glorious in Godhead now. We need to let the glory of the Lord shine through and the church will be glorious now. 5bAs for as Christ is concern Paul is speaking of now. We have already been called, justified and glorified (Romans 8:30) 5cI determined this by Christ's finish work. What he came to do he has done.

Q6 We grow and build the Body of Christ as each of us do our part. Maturity brings growth and stedfastness in love, in faith, in fruitfulness. We are ordaned to bring forth fruit and this fruit should remain. We are commanded to Love one another! (John 15:16,17)

5a The work of the ministry is more vital to the needs of a local congregation. Maturity, a focused ministry, is more beneficial in the warfare against our enemy, satan. The Scrupture states we are to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might....put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ep 6:10-11) We need to have a forgiviing spirit, lest satan should take advantage of us. "..for we are not ignored of his devices" (11-Cor:2:11) Whom we resist by being steadfast in the Word of God which give us the Faith (I-Peter 5:8,9) which comes by hearing Babes in Christ are not skilled in the Eord; strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age (maturity) Heb. 5:11-14 How can we be equipped unless we are taught how, when, what, why, where 5b Teaching and being an example . As Paul instructs Timothy that which he had heard of Paul to commit to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also (2-Tim 2:2) 5cChrist prepard them for service by being with them, spending time teaching them, showing them God's ways. The things they saw of him gave them faith in the truth (Jesus who is truth). They were eye witnesses to the things Christ did and taught. All he had taught was stamped in their hearts after the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. When he breathed on them it gave them the power to wait on the promised Holy Spirit which would filled them.

4a Pstors and teachers work together to build up the body of Christ. What a pastor preaches can be sanctioned and further explained if there are still questions needing to be answered by teachers in the class setting. 4bYes! And they do a tremendous job! 4cThey have a great effect among the body. One reason is because they are before the body all the time. They are being doers of the word they teach. Nothing can be more effective than this! 4dThey can not only build up the body but they can also win others to the body. Sunday school is the plant bed of th church. Prayer meetings are a vital part. It is helpful that group leaders and Sunday School teachers attend prayer metings when 0possible and also to instruct according to knowledge and experience. It is helpful; also to be a part of the lives of those they teach. See them outside the church setting. Be with them in times of trouble to encourage and comfort them through the Holy Spirit that is within them. Hurt when they hurt, cry when they cry, rejoice when they rejoice, We are one anoher's keeper.

Q3aAn evangelist, in my eperience, has been one who preaches and do revivals and move on. If they are of the local church, the only difference is that they remain in the congregration's view. Some have done a temendous job in heading up ministeries in the local church. This has been a blessing. A local church evangelist should function as bringing people to faith in Christ and instructing them to building upon this faith. They should also instruction church members how to effectively share their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 3bI do not beliebe healing is a major part of the evangelistic work. Faith is Jesus Christ is first and foremost. One can be healed and still live a defeated christian life. Growth is important. 3c An evangelist could be helpful in this area by being an effective evangelist in word and deed! To instruct us in the faith and let the own faith be evident.

Q2The early prohets and apostles are foundational of the Universal Church, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone. What they did can not be duplicated. The foundation has been laid! Those who call themselves prophets and apostles today can not lay another foundation. They can, however, carry out the work that has aready been established and given to us in the written Word of God! There can be no new inspired writing of the Holy Word as we now have in the Bible. They may, of course, be a guide to the equipping of the disciples for the administration of the great commission, and witnesses to the truth already established. They can be used to keep the disciplies of the believers in check according to the Word of God! They can be used as reminders to the Church as one who warns the Church according to the Word of God. They need to be living a life worthy themselves. For what one sees makes a greater impact thaen what one hears. We are epistles known and read of all men. Our walk should reflect our position and profession. Nothing can be added or taken away from what we already have in the Scriptures. From Genesis to Revelation, we see the big picture. It is my personal opinion that too many seek titles and too quick to say to others "God Said"!

Q.1a The Scripture states "each/everyone" of us has been given spiritual gifts proportion to grace. No one can say I have none. The Holy Spirit, produces these gifts in us, divides them as HE WILLS (John 3:8). We have no say in what gift(s) or we have or the ones others receive. Gifts then are many and different. They are all of the same Spirit! They are freely given according to grace. Freely we have received and freely shlould we USE THEM according to the proportion of faith. However, we should definitely use them in LOVE. The Holy Spiriit brings unity to the diversity of the gifts. We are to be faithful stewards of God's grce in its various forms. Q1bImplications of this is as compared to a physical body. It takes each part working together; each part doing its work, and supportive of other parts for the purpose of growth and billding up of the Body of Christ in LOVE.

Thinking about the word act being something that is done, I want to be aware of everything that I do to reflect the elements that maintain unity. I desire this to be ongoing and not just for two weeks. However, it will take me two weeks to become focus on the truths. However, I can do all things through that strengthens me. I will please the father if I yield to the Holy Spirit. Please pray for me! This involves my actons as a wife, as a health care provider (my husband is currently being treated for cancer), as an aunt, as a sister, as a church workers. In fact, all tht I do can be improved by these elements. If love rules, these elements would reflect the truths that I have learned in this Bible study. Most importantly, treating those who are different from me who have different interpretations of Scriptures, etc. I want to always remember that this is a sister or a brother in the family of God. I will seek to remember them in prayer while I love them!

5aIn the sense that it is our outward confession of our faith in Jesus Christ to the world. 5bBy dwelling on the things we have in common; salvation through the shed blood of Jesus, his resurrection and the eternal life we have with him. 5cNo, it should not!. We have to realize that it is the Holy Spirit that gives the revelation and illumination of God's Word. It is the Holy Spirit's responsibility to convinced the world! We are to not forget that the Holy Spirit is capable! We just continued to walk in love, to pray one for the other and live the life that God will manifest himself through! . Of we walk upright, God will do the balancing! Trust Him. Remember that it is God who is able to keep us from falling and present us faultless in the presence of his glory! You, me and them!

4aThe seven elements are: One Body; one Spirit; one hope; one Lord; one faith; one baptism; and one God & Father. 4bOne God and Father, one Lord, and one Spirit. 4cBecause the work of the Godhead brings about God's Redemptive plan. PTL How bless we are!

3aThe Holy Spirit brings about the unity. We are to maintain it by yielding to Him! He is the one who was sent to guide us into all truth, to bring all things to our remembrance, to show us things to come - to name just a few. 3bThe bond of peae is rought abut through unity. It will hold everything togher like "glue".Peace is distrubed when we sin, when we are not walking in love with one another,.When we walk in love, peace is maintained. The Bible instructs us that as much as lieth within us to live peacefully with all men; to seek peace and to pursue it! 3cChristian unity is PRIMARY for us! There must be no scisms in the body of Christ. We are all members of one body! Our source in accomplishing this primary goal is through and by the Holy Spirit. Think about the unity of the Godhead!

1aLiving a lige wothy of your calling has EVERYTHING to do with maintaining unity in the Church. First of all, Christ prayer to the Father in John 17 stress oneness - In in them and you in me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that you sent me and that you have loved them [even] as you have loved me. Conducting oneself is approplriate for the callingAs cited in Phil. 1:27 - Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ ...you are standing firm in united spirit and purpose, striving side by side, contending with a single mind for the faith of the Gospel. We need to walk worthy of God who has called us into his kingdom and glory. The kingdom is worthy, the glory is worthy because God is worthy. We are in his kingdom for His glory! 1bThe impact that unity brings to the kingdom and glory of God. It is vital to show the world how good and h ow pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity. It will bring such an anointing to the church as the precious oil poured on the head, that ran doiwn on the beard, even the head of Aaron [the first high priest] that come down upon the collor and skirts of his garments (consecrating the whole body) for the service of the Lord (Psalm 133) Being united. we will let our lights shine; we will be the salt of the earth; we will know how to give an answer of the hope thqt is in us; we will let our words be with grace and seasoned; we will display the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives; we will walk as children of light and we will bring GLORY to God! 1cThere is absolutely no worthiness about the separation from fellow christians. We are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Christ is not divided. As Paul stated - Some indeed preached Christ even of envy and strife and some also of good will - the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerly, supposing to add affliction to my bonds, but the other of love -- nevertheless CHRIST IS PREASCHED! 1dOur calling is to salvation and eternal life via redemption. It is a high and holy calling - it is from God who is worthy to received glory and honor! In this calling we were presdestined to conform to the image of Christ. We are called to follow in His steps.. to walk even as he walked...to suffer for his namesake because all things work together for good to them that love God and iwho are called according to his purpose.

The characteristics or attitudes for maintaining unity with other christians are humbleness, gentleness, patience, longsuffering, forbearance and LOVE The most importnt is LOVE. Love will bring about the others. The most difficult is LOVE. Without it all the characteristics would not be easily to obtain and maintained. Secondary, still with in the guidesline of love is longsuffering. "Faith worketh by LOVE!

Realizing each person, each congregation is a part of the building. All members working together for the benefit of the temple. No man is an island! No man lives alone! -- a secular saying. But it is true as far as we do not form, this dwelling place alone! We are building tohgether with others. Not you do your thing and I do mine, individually or as a congregation. Quote "When we make a commitment to become part of he temple than "God himself dwells in that congregation and make himself known" AMEN

It established my faith more in the Holy Scriptures. The prophets' teaching were fulfilled in the New Testamemt. So God is faithful and what he has spoken will come to past! And we know that Jesus is coming back again for his church! The apostles were taught and trained by Jesus. This combination is awesome! The life of the congregation should be one of extreme faith! Looking to Jesus the author and finisher. We now can live victoriously becuase of the Holy Spirit. All that is done and taught in the local congregation needs to be in line with the foundation which Jesus has laid! This really should bring unity to the body. A congregation grows when it allows Christ to be formed in them! We are the temple of God, a place of habitation for the Spirit of God. Growth occurs when we are obedient! We become doers and not hearers only. Paul said on one occasion, he that is a babe is unskilled in the word of God. "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. By this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's Word all over again. You need milk, not solid food. Anyone who lives on milk is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrew 5:11-14 We should desire the sincere milk of the gospel that we may grow thereby (I-Peter 2:2) KJV

l (1) The household of God is made up of the redeemed both Jews and Gentiles. It is spiritual house , a family unit where Christ is head and God is our Father who initualated bringing together this family in Christ. The nature of it is one of LOVE. It was love of the Father that devised a redemptive plan and love of Christ that carred out it out! All of this was done "before the foundation of the world". What love, what mercy, what grace! The scripture tell us that they wll know that we are christians by our love. They will therefore know that we are a family by the love we have one for the other. (2) The fellowship that is approprite in the local congregation is that of LOVE and UNITY. Followship is a spiritual union with Christ. (-Cor 1:9 - God is faith by whom ye were called in fellowship of His son Jesus Christ our Lord. I-John 1:3 -That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and wiuth his son Jesus Christ. (3) The implication for those christians who aren't faithful to gather with the local congregation is that they do not care about the family unit and maintaining fellowship. They are shunning family members when they should enhancing and sharing in the House of God. As Pastor Wilson stated, we can not choose our family members. However, as God deals with us through love, we should display this to all family members. And some family members need us more than others. Secondly, it is direct disobedience to God,s Word. Heb. 10:24-25 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works. Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. The apostles continued daily in the temple praising and blessing God.

Access to God is important because it gives us the privilege of having His presence with us, in us, and among us. We can dwell in His presence! Reconciliation with Him, ushered in His Holy Spirit within. Reconciliation gave us peace with God and the peace of God. Without reconciliation, no peace; no peace no access. We were all by nature children of wrath (Behold I was shapened in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceived me Ps 51:5) We have been saved from the wrath of God. We have obtained the righteousness of God which is in Christ Jesus. We had to be reconciled! For we were enemies of God for we walked according to the course of this world and according to the power of the air whose spirit now works in the children of disobedience. We were unable to keep his commandments (the law was weak through the flesh). Oh, you had heartened to my commandments, then your peace and prosperity would have been like a flowing river and your righteousness (the holiness and purity of the nation) like the (abundant) waves of the sea. There is no peace, saith the Lord for the wicked. God commended His love foir us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Now justified by his blood, we are saved from the wrath through Him. And not only hat but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. by whom we have received the atonement (reconciliation)PTL 2. We now can do what we [previously could not do. We were not a part of the covenant of promise, etc. 3. Jesus Christ made this access to the father by the shedding of His blood and bringing down the wall of partition. Extra credit - God loved and gave, we need to love and give! As God has loved us, we are to love one another. First loving him with all our being. So much is dependant on our love for God and for others. Access to the Father gives of the power to do this by way of the Holy Spirit living within us.

We have a heavenly citizenship, a place which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God! We are pilgrims and strangers here. We look forward to our heavenly dwelling place. The mansion Jesus has prepared for us! We are God's people and members of His (HOLY) household. Praise the Lord!