Many of us have the desire to be able to participate in a New Testament Church. We read about the Church in Acts and think how wonderful it would be if we had a Church like that today. The early Church was full of the power of God and the members had genuine love for one another. It is easy for us to fantasize about how wonderful it all was.

What we forget about is the fact that the Church was born in the midst of conflict. The early Church was severely persecuted. There were no pew sitters in those days. To be baptized was to publicly declare your allegiance to Jesus. Church members were totally committed to the Lord. They had to be to withstand the harassment of the religious and societal leaders. This kept the Church pure. The uncommitted and the insincere were kept from the Church by the persecution that the believers received. There was no possibility of compromise for those who were true to the faith.

This changed when Constantine became a Christian and marched his army through lakes to baptize them. Christianity became socially acceptable. People became "Christians" in name only without the new birth and the commitment to the Lordship of Jesus. The result of this was a Church that compromised with the world. Its structure became like that of the pagans (because so many pagans came into the church without having their hearts changed). A priest-laity organization with all of the supporting accoutrements gradually came into existence resulting in a professional minister and an audience of believers.

Because of this, it became quite acceptable to be a pew sitter. It is as if no one really expects you to do anything or even have your life changed. Some have called today's church structure "Club Church". In many ways, this seems to be true. The Church does act like any other social club.

This has resulted in a "mixed multitude" within the ranks of the Church. When Moses led the children of Israel from Egypt the scriptures tell us that a mixed multitude (a mixture of people of non-Jewish descent) left with them^¹. These were those that thought things might be better for them if they went with Moses rather than staying in Egypt. They had no stake in the Promised Land or commitment to the God of Israel. Their only concern was for their own welfare.

The presence of the mixed multitude caused many problems for the children of Israel during their trek in the wilderness. During difficult times, it was always the mixed multitude that complained and lusted after other things and would cause the children of Israel to also complain and become unsatisfied with God's provision. The mixed multitude in Club Church has performed the same disservice to the True Church of God causing confusion and dissatisfaction with the provision of the Lord.

Many of us have become discouraged over the seeming lack of spirituality, love, care, or concern for the other members of the Church and the seeming oblivious attitude toward the requirements of God both individually and corporately. Maybe we have a problem because the Church is not functioning in the manner that it was designed. Jesus said He would build His Church. He is the one with the blueprints, not us. Maybe we need to seek to understand what the New Testament Church was all about. Maybe we need to re-think all that we know of the Church in order to recognize and deal with the various traditions of men that have crept into the Church since the first century.

Lest we become disillusioned with the Church, we need to remember some basic facts:

In the light of these facts it becomes apparent that the problem is not with God but with us. We are the ones that have changed when compared with the early Christians. We don't have the same level of commitment and dependency on the Lord as they did. We don't have the same burning desire for evangelization and proclamation of the Word of God as they did. We don't have the depth of love and care for one another as members together of the grace of Christ as they did.

What then is needed for us to begin to function in a manner like the New Testament Church as depicted in the book of Acts? What areas must we address? It would appear from the Scriptures that at the Lord’s return the Church will look more like it did in the first century than it does now. What has to take place to bring this about?

If we desire a New Testament Church, then there are five things that we must have:

Somehow, over the years, these five areas have deteriorated or have been lost completely to the Church. To the point that the modern Church is weak and anemic, confused and divided, and compromised with the World Systems.

However, God has promised us that there will be a restoration of all things⁶, which we believe to also include all things that relate to the plans and purposes of the Lord's Church.

God’s original purpose for man has not changed. He intends to restore all things according to His purpose that man might fulfill the calling of God. When restoration is initiated, there are two aspects to be considered:

Anyone who has ever restored an old house that has deteriorated from neglect can immediately understand the need of putting things in their right place and right condition. In many ways, God's house has been neglected; but, now is being restored. Proper restoration requires the original blueprints or architectural drawings to make sure that the original design is followed.

The only design we have for the Church is in the book of Acts with some elaboration of functions in the Epistles. We need to study these carefully and seek the Lord for understanding and implementation procedures.

NEW TESTAMENT LIFE

The first of our requirements for a new testament Church is by far the most important. New Testament Life is necessary before any of the other aspects of the New Testament Church can function as the Lord intended. This type of life only comes from God.

We think of life differently than the way the Bible presents it. We think that if we are breathing then we are "alive", i.e., that we have life. While this may be true biologically, it certainly is not true spiritually. Let's consider the difference between "natural life" and "spiritual life".

To do this we need to go back to the beginning of man's life—to Genesis and the creation of Adam.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)

When God made man He breathed into him "the breath of lives" (the original is plural—lives). This implies that there was more than one type of life in Adam (which is why Adam could die and still remain alive, as we shall see in a moment). Adam becoming a living soul, which manifested one aspect of the breath of life in man. This appears to be a type of life that was unique in all of God's creation.

God told Adam about the tree of knowledge of good and evil and said, "…for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."^⁷ We all know that Adam ate of the tree and yet continued to live for many years after that act before he died physically. So, when he ate of the tree, what died then? His spiritual life, i.e., the type of life that was a part of God's life. Without this continuous life-flow from God, Adam became spiritually dead with no hope of recovery except by the promise of God.

A simple way of looking at this concept is in terms of life being designed for its habitat. Our soul type of life is made for this earthly habitat or environment while our spirit type of life is made for God's habitat or environment. Paul talks about this contrast between the two types of life in First Corinthians chapter fifteen.

He first speaks of the different types of "flesh" and how there is a difference between men, animals, fish and birds. Then he contrasts celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies. He does this to draw a parallel between our natural bodies and our resurrected bodies.

All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:39-44)

We have a natural body (full of natural or soulish life) while we live in this earthly habitat. However, we need a spiritual body (full of spiritual life) when we live in our future habitat. Paul explains that we got the soul life from Adam (the first man) but we get the spirit life from the last Adam (Jesus).

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:45-49)

These two types of life are so different that Paul says that our natural life is unable to inherit the Kingdom of God.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (1 Corinthians 15:50)

You see, what we are in the natural was not designed for the environment of the Kingdom of God. We must have spiritual life.

Spiritual life is so important to the Kingdom of God that Jesus told Nicodemus^⁸, "… Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." When Adam sinned, we lost spiritual life. We can only regain it (be born again) by believing on Jesus (the last Adam that became a quickening spirit).

What are the characteristics of this type of life? The scriptures only describe it in one way—eternal. This is the type of life that Jesus manifested according to the Apostle John:

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) (1 John 1:2)

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)

Jesus is eternal life and has made eternal life available to us. It is eternal life which makes us capable of participating in the environment of the Kingdom of God. (Remember, the Church is a part of the Kingdom of God and is the exclusive habitat of New Testament Christians.)

Some confusion results in the natural when too many professing Christians do not manifest eternal life. As a matter of fact, the Church seems to have forgotten how to recognize eternal life when we see it. However, John makes it clear what is not eternal life.

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15)

Anyone who hates his brother is categorized as a murderer and is void of eternal life. When hate is harbored in a Church it destroys the spiritual habitat of the Kingdom of God.

Which brings us full circle to the requirement of God that we love one another just like He has loved us.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35)

The life of the New Testament Church expresses itself as love. Where we find true love (the God kind), we find true life. The converse is also true: where we find true life (the God kind), we find true love.

The secret is one of expression. As the people of God we need to learn how to let the life of God in us express itself in love. How do we do this?

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.(James 3:8-10

We have one opening (the mouth) from which flows two types of things: blessing and cursing. Things should not be this way. James goes on to explain why.

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. (James 3:11-12)

He says that a fountain or spring cannot produce two different types of water: salt and fresh. Neither can a fig tree produce olives. It is simply not possible. Therefore, if the tongue is producing two different types of communication: blessing and cursing, then there must be two different sources. We can conclude that there are two different springs within us: one which produces sweet water (blessing) and one which produces bitter water (cursing).

These two different springs correspond to the two different types of life within us: the natural life (the old nature) and the spiritual life (the new nature). Whichever spring has water drawn from it will increase while the other decreases. This is true in the spiritual as well as the natural.

Jesus said, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14). This makes it clear that the Life that comes from Jesus is like a well or spring and as such should flow out from us. This was made clear a little later when Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38)

New Testament Life expresses itself in a number of ways—love, unity, humbleness, compassion, patience, preferring one another, and many other similar attributes of those who truly belong to God.

It is generally acknowledged (although not necessarily accepted) that the birth of the Church was on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost came like a rushing wind upon the disciples that were gathered in the upper room. This is recorded in detail in the second chapter of Acts^⁹ and is a momentous event. It was the fulfillment of prophecy because until then the Holy Spirit was not poured out on all flesh but only came upon a select few like the Old Testament Prophets.^¹⁰ Now, through the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was available to all.

Jesus emphasized the importance of this event before He ascended into Heaven. In the first chapter of Acts^¹¹, He told His disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father (which He had earlier made clear to them was the coming of the Holy Ghost).^¹² He said that they would receive power when the Holy Ghost came. After receiving power, they were to go to the uttermost parts of the earth. In other words, evangelization would require the power of the Holy Spirit and they were to wait and not go until they received it.

There has been some confusion over this because some people have equated the empowering of the Spirit with the regeneration of the Spirit. You have to be born again before you can be empowered, but the new birth doesn't necessarily empower you. The Scriptures draw a distinction between being born again and being baptized in the Holy Spirit. This contrast is clear in the eighth chapter of Acts which details Phillip's trip to Samaria.

Philip did the work of an evangelist. As a matter of fact, his is the only example in the Scriptures of the work of an evangelist. When he went to Samaria, he preached Christ to the people. There was deliverance, healing and great joy among them. They believed and were baptized in water. They did all of the things that we do today to become a Christian.^¹³

The people of Samaria received Jesus under the Ministry of Philip, the evangelist. This chapter of Acts provides us with the only details of the ministry of an evangelist recorded in the Bible. These are the results of an evangelistic ministry:

It becomes readily obvious that what we call an evangelist today is quite a bit different from what the Scriptures call an evangelist. To perform the work of an evangelist requires the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to wait to get the power of the Spirit before going to evangelize the world.

Today, many evangelists go out to preach without the Holy Spirit, usually because they don’t understand the work of the evangelist. They take the form without the power. It is no wonder then that we don't get the same results that Phillip did. An evangelist without the power of the Holy Spirit is simply an exhorter. The body of Christ needs exhorters; they perform a valuable service. However, evangelists are needed even more because the fields are white, ready for harvest. Jesus said that the Word would be confirmed with signs following. When the Word is preached by an evangelist then through the power of the Holy Spirit signs should follow as it did with Phillip.

Even though the people of Samaria had believed and were baptized (became Christians) under the Ministry of Phillip, they had not received all that God had for them. When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent to them Peter and John to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.^¹⁴

Therefore, even though the Samaritans were Christians (they had believed and were baptized) they had not received the Holy Ghost. When they did receive, it was by the laying on of hands of Peter and John. The Samaritans became believers under the ministry of Phillip, the evangelist, and received the Holy Spirit under the completely different ministry of Peter and John.

Another example of different time frames for the new birth and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is evident in the lives of the twelve disciples. When were the disciples born again? It had to be after Jesus shed His blood, that is, under the New Covenant. In John 20: 22-23 Jesus breathes on his disciples and tells them to receive the Holy Ghost and if they remit their sins then they are remitted. (I believe that this is the beginning point of the Church not the Day of Pentecost.)

This picture of Jesus breathing on His disciples is a direct corollary to creation when God breathed on Adam^¹⁵. In each case life came from God and a new birth resulted. Also their sins were remitted which occurs when we are born again. I believe that this is what occurred. Later Jesus told them to wait for the Holy Ghost so that they would receive power. Only after that were they to be witnesses to the uttermost part of the earth.

If we want a New Testament Church, then first we have to receive New Testament power. It is the Holy Ghost that gives us the ability to live the Christian life and the power to do the works of Jesus and even greater works than He did^¹⁶. It is the Holy Ghost that brings to us the reality of the Kingdom of God.

NEW TESTAMENT PEOPLE

In today's society, we have religious freedom and tolerance. As a consequence, there is no stigma associated with professing our religious beliefs. There are very few social repercussions for being associated with Christian groups. Because of this, becoming a Christian or "joining" a church requires little commitment, almost no sacrifice, and only a small necessity for changing our lifestyle. The result is a social church filled with compromise, ignorance of the ways of God, and with a void of commitment in the lives of the people.

This wasn't true in the first century of the church. Persecution came from every side. There were business, social and political problems associated with identification as a Christian. Converts assumed the risk of losing everything when they became Christians. As a result, a person was whole-heartedly committed to Jesus when he was converted. There was no fence straddling or compromise or casual church attendance. Baptism was a public confession of conversion and a visual demonstration of one's identification with those who followed Jesus.

The early Christians took the teachings of Jesus about loving one another very seriously. Even to the point of not counting their possessions as their own but counting them in common so that there could be an equality in the body and no one would have need.^¹⁷ They sacrificed for each other, being more concerned for the welfare of their brothers and sisters in the Lord than with their own needs. These were people that allowed God to do a deep work in their hearts so that the love of God was spread abroad from them.

Jesus told his disciples that others would know that they were His followers by their love for one another.^¹⁸ The kind of self-sacrificing love to which Jesus referred is impossible to fake. It is contrary to the natural inclination of the world and has to be worked into your heart by the Holy Spirit. Jesus by His words and life clearly demonstrated this kind of Love.

In the natural we have limits to the actions that we put with love. One has to be worthy of our love before we can love him. Not so with God.

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.( Romans 5:7-8)

While we were the enemies of God, He loved us. If we have His love in us, we can do as He says and "love our enemies". This is far beyond that which is natural to us. Imagine then this type of love expressed to those who are brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Jesus said that those who obeyed His commandments are the ones who love Him.^¹⁹ Obedience is an expression of love. When one looks at the level of obedience to the commandments of the Lord that is in the denominational churches, then it is obvious that the love described by Jesus is missing in the hearts of the people. If the Lord were truly loved by His people then love would be expressed in obedient actions.

Obedience has to be learned by all of us. We are not naturally obedient because of the nature that we all have received as an inheritance from Adam. It is in our nature to be disobedient to authority and the accompanying commandments. The Scriptures say in Hebrews 5:8 that Jesus, although a son, learned obedience by the things that He suffered. Jesus did not bring obedience with Him when He emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant^²⁰. He had to learn obedience as a man.

Suffering is the pathway to obedience. To obey the commands of God requires that we die to ourselves. Our desires cross the desires of God. We don’t want to do the things that God requires of us. Paul speaks of this as the struggle between our old nature and our new nature when he says:

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (Romans 7:15)

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (Romans 7:18-19)

This is a major internal struggle for the Christian. We know what we should do; what we want to do; but many times we still do the wrong thing even though we wanted to do the right thing. We suffer when we deny our self in obedience to the Lord. Jesus said,

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

We deny our self before we take up the cross daily to follow Him. Denying ourselves deals with the old nature—putting it aside and living from the new nature. Then, we take up the cross to follow Jesus. When Jesus took up His cross, He was going to a place of death. It is the same with us. When we take up our cross, it is because we are to die on it!

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV) Galatians 2:20

We are identified with Christ in His crucifixion and it becomes necessary that we also experience this in practice because we have a new source of life within us.

This is the narrow way that leads to life. This is the suffering that produces obedience as we die to our desires and live for His.

The people of God (at least the American version) have not embraced suffering. We are a church that has taken its leisure; that desires comfort above all else. We don't want to do anything that might cost us. We protect our lifestyle with all that we have and hope that nothing rocks the boat. As a consequence there is a shortage of love expressed toward the brethren. For love expressed is not in words only but also in actions.

Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles. (Jeremiah 48:11-12)

Moab had settled on its “lees” and not been poured from vessel to vessel. “Lees” are the settlement that occurs when making wine. The process involves pouring wine from one container to another, letting it settle, and then pouring it into another container. Each time that it is poured into another vessel, “lees” are left behind and the wine becomes purer and purer. Of course if this doesn’t happen, the wine is undrinkable, full of debris and fermented odors.

God told Moab that he would send the tipper of vessels to them because they had settled on their lees. Since the Lord is no respecter of persons, we can expect Him to do something similar for us. The denominational churches are in a place where God may begin to upset the apple cart! He wants a pure, obedient people.

When the people of God neglect love for one another and for the Lord, the result is a lack of resources needed for the ministry. Resource shortage causes an unhealthy emphasis on money within the ministries of the church. It seems that all of the televangelists are continually pleading for funds both on air and in the mail. The denominational churches, large and small, all seem to be struggling financially. Everywhere we turn there are pleas to help the homeless, feed a child, or give to spread the Gospel. Why do the churches seem to be in such financial straits? Didn't God promise to supply all of our needs according to His riches in Glory?

I believe that God is saying something to His Church and we are being a little dull of hearing. Although God owns it all (the gold, silver, cattle on a 1000 hills), He doesn't seem to be releasing it to the Church. Why? The book of James tells us.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3)

Finances for the denominational churches are not used according to God's instructions. They are used to build edifices, finance programs, and pay for some leader's grandiose dreams that build his ego and feed his ambition without concern for God's desire for the Kingdom of God.

One of the areas of the greatest misuse of finances is the tithe. It is the Old Testament Law that structures the tithe for us; however, we must remember that Abraham tithed before the Law making tithing transcend the Law in its application to our lives. However, even though we are not under the Law (since we have received Grace in Christ Jesus), we can take the structured rules of tithing and interpret them spiritually. Jesus did this in chapter five of Matthew where he restated the Ten Commandments from a new spiritual perspective.

Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.

Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD's heave offering to Aaron the priest.

Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.

Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.

And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.(Numbers 18:26-31)

The tithe was God's way of financing the priesthood. It was to provide to the Levites the things they needed just as if they were plowing and planting their own land. In the same manner, a tithe of the tithe went to the High Priest for his provision.

There came a time when the people practically quit tithing and the priests had to rent land and raise crops to eat. God took a dim view of this.

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.( Malachi 3:8-10)

The tithe needed to be brought into the storehouse in order to feed the priests. The priests were going hungry because the people were not being obedient to the instructions of the Lord.

There is no record in the Scriptures for the tithe to go anywhere except into flesh and blood. Its purpose was to support those who labored in the Lord's work. The tithe was never used in any way to build anything. Even the Temple was built only with offerings above and beyond the tithe.

Today, we are actually still robbing God. The tithe is being used to build new buildings, buy property, pay for janitorial services, install electronic equipment, and many other things needed by the modern denominational church. God said that those who rob him are cursed with a curse. No wonder there is a shortage of financial resources! We are consuming it on our own lusts just as James said.

I have nothing against buildings, per se, as long as they are not built and supported with the tithe. We need to understand the meaning of the Kingdom of God and realize that the tithe is God's Kingdom Tax, His method of financing His government in the earth. We need to understand and follow God's financial principles and instructions, especially during the end times.

These steps have to be performed in order. God is not going to release to us the wealth of the wicked for us to consume it on our own lusts, ambitions, and desires. The first thing the early Church did was to sell possessions so that there would be none that had need within the Body. Until we learn how to care for our own; until we do what God has told us to do, we won't see a major release of financial resources.

To care for our own is the expression of the love of God that testifies to the world that we are His. This requires us to fully express the love of God with each other. Jesus said:

It is our love for one another that is the mark of discipleship. Others will know that we follow the Lord Jesus by the way that we love each other. This means that our love must have outward, visible evidence that can be seen even by the unbeliever. The Apostle John made it clear in his first epistle:

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1John 3: 17-18)

John is saying that we shouldn't only give lip service to our love but that we should perform our love in actions. We are to do "love deeds" for each other. (This should be a natural expression of the life of the Lord that is within us.) When one has a need and we know it then we should supply that need. If we don't then there is a question whether or not the love of God dwells in our heart.

James also spoke clearly and pointedly about caring for our brothers and sisters:

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

James is saying that words alone do not provide any benefit--there must be action with the words. We are to actively help our brothers and sisters that have need of food and clothing.

John the Baptist spoke in the same manner. When the people asked what they should do after one of his messages, he answered with the need for "love deeds".

He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. (KJV) Luke 3:11

The very nature of God is love as the scripture says^²¹. God expressed that love in Jesus in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us^²². Probably the most quoted verse of the Bible is John 3:16 yet we forget that the motivation of that scripture is that God so loved ... that He gave... Love is expressed in giving. God expressed His love for us by giving us His Son. If the love of God is in us then we too will express it by giving. We give of ourselves and our resources for each other. That is love in action and is evidence to the world that we are children of God and disciples of Jesus.

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (1 John 3:11)

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (1 John 3:14)

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16)

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (1 John 3:23)

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (1 John 4:7-11)

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:3)

Many times lip service is given to the concept of caring for one another while with our actions we focus on something else such as the Power of the Spirit. We all like to see God reveal His awesome power. It is exciting. And because we don't see enough of it, we think that all we need for a New Testament Church is the power of God; forgetting that we need New Testament people also. Too often power is emphasized in our teaching while character is neglected. Love comes out of character not power. Paul said that though I have all power and have not love I am an empty noise ^²³. As a matter of fact he said that faith itself works by love^²⁴. It’s not by power but by love that we are known as the disciples of Jesus. Without Love, we have missed one of the key elements of the New Covenant.

We have allowed ministry to focus on power to the point that there are many "flaky" things being done in the Name of the Lord. People run to this ministry to see what is going on and then run to another ministry to see it and on and on. They reach a point where there is no commitment to a specific assembly but are merely flitting about looking for "a touch" from the Spirit. No wonder there is a lack of care in the Body.

We must learn to "do the covenant", that is, perform the requirements of the covenant! The New Testament Covenant is to love God and each other. Even the Old Testament law hinged on this precept:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)

As we have seen from the Scriptures the "mark" or evidence that we partake of the new covenant is love. Under the old covenant the "mark" or evidence that you partook of the covenant was circumcision. Without circumcision you were still a heathen. It is imperative that we “do the covenant”; that we receive the “mark” in ourselves.

In Exodus chapter four we have a clear example of the necessity of "doing the covenant". This chapter details Moses leaving the wilderness to return to Egypt with his family to execute the directions that God had given him regarding Pharaoh. God had already met with Moses at the burning bush and told him all the things that he must do. God confirmed these with miracles; certainly the power of God was with Moses. Then Moses set out in obedience to do the things that God had said. Then a strange thing happened: "And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him." (Exodus 4:24) Moses and his family stopped for the night to rest at an inn. (Today, it would be a hotel.) While at the inn the Lord sought to kill him! Isn't this strange. The Lord had just called him to a mighty work, empowered him for that work, and Moses was obediently proceeding to perform the work. Yet, when they stopped at the inn the Lord sought to kill him! Why?

Look at the next couple of verses: "Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision." (Exodus 4:25-26)

Moses had not circumcised his son. Moses did not "do the covenant" with his family. The "mark" or evidence was missing. Obviously Moses and his wife had discussed this in the past because she knew exactly what to do when the crises came. However, as the head of the household it was Moses' responsibility to see that the covenant of God was performed within his family. Instead, he had yielded to Zipporah's wishes and had not done it.

So, in spite of the fact that God had called and empowered Moses, the Lord would not let him fulfill his calling until he had "done the covenant" in his own family. Once the son was circumcised, the Lord let Moses proceed.

Today, there are many groups that have been called and empowered of God to do special works for the Lord. Many have taken their visions and proclaimed them as a prophetic mandate. They have held these mandates up as a rallying banner saying, "God has called us. He is doing a new thing. Join us and get in on the new move of God." They have then proceeded full speed in obedience to do what God has called them to do. Very quickly many have hit walls of problems. Sometimes these have been financial; sometimes its been dissension in the ranks; sometimes its been leadership pressure; sometimes the reasons are unknown--things just bogged down. Of course, when this happens much energy goes into rebuking the Devil and taking authority over the circumstances and in some cases this is what is needed. However, we need to remember that is was the Lord that sought to kill Moses.

God is not going to allow any group to move into large-scale ministry until they learn to "do the covenant". Many groups like this have the Power of the Spirit and do many mighty works in the Name of the Lord and yet don't have love--the mark of the New Covenant. They have not had their heart circumcised. The very sign that we are the disciples of Jesus that is to be a testimony to the world is missing.

Circumcision of the heart is a suffering process that yields obedience and causes the love of God to be shed abroad. We need to embrace this process. It is necessary for our growth in the Lord and it is necessary if we are to be New Testament People.

A Shunammite woman in 2nd Kings gives the best testimony of what it should be like among the people of God.

And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.

And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. (II Kings 4:8-13)

Elisha periodically passed the Shunammite woman's house when he traveled. When she saw him the first time, she invited him to eat. After that, he stopped to eat whenever he passed. Then, the woman talked her husband into building a small guestroom on the side of the house so that Elisha would have a place to stay when he passed by. She did this to honor him as a Man of God. When Elisha rested in the guestroom after it was finished, he decided to do something for the Shunammite woman and sent his servant to bring her to him. He asked her what he could do for her. If she wanted, he would speak to the King on her behalf or maybe to the Captain of the armies.

Her answer should pierce our hearts. She said, "I dwell among my own people." In other words, she said she didn't need anything from Elisha because she was living amongst her people. All of her needs were already taken care of because she was part of a community that cared for one another.

We, as the children of God, should be able to say to anyone who asks us what we want that we have no need because "we dwell among our own people." The world needs to see us as part of a community that cares for one another. It should be recognizable that we dwell among our own people.

NEW TESTAMENT GOVERNMENT

One sorely needed area of restoration is government. We can't have a New Testament Church without New Testament government. The scriptures say that Christ is the Head of the Church, King of the Kingdom, Ruler over everything and of the increase of His Government, there shall be no end ^²⁵. He has also given gifts to men for the perfecting (maturing) of the saints^²⁶. These gifts are men; men who fulfill functions for the Church Universal and constitute God's delegated government. They are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors (shepherds, Greek = poimen) and teachers.

The Lord has established His own government (the Kingdom of God) with Himself as the Head or King of it. This means that He has designed and implemented all of the offices necessary for the proper functioning of His government and delegated His authority for its operation.

We assume that we have a pretty good idea of what a new testament Church is. Many times we use words that are familiar to us, words that are found in the New Testament, when in actual fact, we are not using them in the way the New testament uses them. We are not applying them to the same things to which the new testament applies them. Our words sound like New Testament truth, however, the meaning of the words is not the same. We have to look past tradition in order to see Truth.

The Church is not natural but divine. It is being build by Jesus, Himself, as He said to Peter.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

Jesus is the one building the church. He even calls it His church. It is not being built by man, nor upon the precepts of men but only according to the plan and purpose of God.

We should clear up some erroneous teaching that comes from this scripture. Some have believed and taught that Jesus was telling Peter that the church would be built upon him (i.e., Peter). That is not the meaning of this scripture at all.

In the original language, Jesus was making a pun. There are two Greek words for rock: Petros—small rock or pebble and Petras—large rock or boulder. Peter's name comes from Petros and means small rock. Jesus was actually contrasting Peter (Petros, pebble) with Himself (Petras, boulder). If we can imagine hand gestures as part of the conversation, it becomes very clear. Jesus points to Peter and says, "Peter, you’re a small rock, but (Jesus turns his finger toward Himself) upon this mighty boulder I will build my church." Contrary to the opinion of some, Jesus was actually telling Peter that he was not a big enough rock for the church to be built upon but that it would require a rock like Himself for it to stand.

Since Jesus is doing the building, He also establishes His own government according to the plan of the Father. The government of the Church begins with the Lordship of Jesus. He is Lord of all creation and the Head of the Church. The head gives identity and control to the body. The head instigates and regulates all functions of the body. Without the head the body is dead.

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:8)

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)

These are gifts of men to the Church universal. In another place the scriptures say that He “set some” (NASB is “appointed”) in the church:

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.(1Corinthians 12:28)

God has set an order of importance (of function not value) in the Church, which puts the apostles, prophets, and teachers at the head of the list.

The meaning of “set some” or “appointed”: Strong's #G5087, tithēmi; to place, lay, set: it is translated in the NASB as “appointed (6), assign (2), committed (1), conceived (1), destined (1), down *(4), falling (1), fixed (1), kept (1), kneeling *(2), knelt *(3), laid (22), laid aside (1), laid down (1), lay (4), lay...down (2), lay down (8), laying (2), lays down (1), made (4), make (4), offer (1), placed (4), present (1), purposed (1), put (15), puts (2), puts...away (1), putting (1), reached (1), serves (1), set...down (1), set down (1), sink (1)”.

This word is translated 22 times as “laid”. When read this way “God has laid in the church...” it gives us a different understanding than we may have previously entertained. This fits with the idea of the apostles and prophets as part of the foundation. When a “church” is built, the order of ministry that is required to be laid in the “church” is first the apostles, second, the prophets, thirdly, the teachers, then miracles, etc.

These are functions of the local Church. The Lord has His own plan concerning the structure and function of His Body. We either comply with the Architect’s plans and schematics or we build a different structure than what was intended.

We are told in Hebrews^²⁷ that when Moses was given the instructions to build the Tabernacle that it was a shadow of something in the heavenlies. If Moses had changed any of the instructions, he would have built a perverted tabernacle that no longer reflected the heavenly original.

We are also told that under the New Covenant, we are the temple of the living God. We, too, in our corporate expression are a reflection or shadow of something in the heavenlies. Why should we have the right to change the Lord’s building plans? He has already told us how to build: He is the foundation^²⁸ and the chief cornerstone, the apostles and prophets complete the foundation^²⁹ and we are living stones fitted together^³⁰. We do not determine how the completed temple will look! That is the exclusive realm of our Lord.

God has established His authority structure and it is nothing like that of the world. As a matter of fact, Jesus forbade the worldly type of authority structure among His people

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (Matthew 20:25-27)

Yet, in the denominational churches, the authority structure that exists is one of “lording it over”. The denominational church is structured no differently than any other corporation in America. The Pastor is the CEO (usually) operating under the watchful eye of a Board of Directors (could be Deacons, Elders, or others). His goal is to increase the bottom line. In church parlance, this means increasing attendance and donations. Long term goals include bigger buildings and flashier programs. If these things don't happen the CEO (Pastor) is ousted and someone else is brought in which the Board believes can deliver the goods. This is exactly the scenario that Jesus said was not to be among us. How can we ever function as the Body of Christ when we try to do it according to the pattern of the World System?

The Lord has established a wonderful, functional methodology for the Church. It in no way resembles the world system hierarchy but is new and different. One of the beautiful ways that the Lord has structured His Church is the fact that it is impossible to do it the Lord's way in the flesh. It can only be done by walking in the Spirit with full recognition of the Lord as the Head.

Jesus is the sovereign Lord. He does not share His Headship with us. There is no such thing in the New Testament as a man who is head of a Church. The Lord does not allow that. He has established a plurality of leadership as a protection for the people and to insure that the Spirit and not a person drives decisions. We need to re-think our understanding of Church to allow the Spirit to modify our concepts of what the Church is and how it functions.

Leadership

New Testament Government requires God-called and God-established leadership. There are leadership issues that have been neglected in the Church for centuries. Who should be leaders? How do leaders come forth within the body? How do you train leaders? How do leaders function? This whole theme of truth is so desperately needed; but few seem to want to study it because of also having to study the whole arena of authority. And authority in our society is almost a dirty word. Nobody wants to face up to the issues of authority -- who has it and who doesn't; what is the correct use; and what constitutes abuse? Nobody wants to deal with it. But, you have to if you are going to come into New Testament relationship with leadership.

Human Leadership in the Local Church

DENOMINATIONAL STRUCTURE

In the King James New Testament the word "pastor" is only used once and that is in Ephesians 4:11. In King James' day, this word meant "shepherd" which is the correct translation of the Greek word that is used in the original. However, we have latched onto the word "pastor" and built it into something different than the Scriptures intended. Adapting the world's authority structure, we have installed the pastor as the head of the local Church. (Remember, Jesus does not share headship). Again, following the world's methods, we place requirements on a pastor such as seminary or other educational degrees without concern about his call and anointing. We have created an atmosphere where a person can become a professional pastor by following the world's methods for a career without the person even being born again by the Spirit!

This has resulted in a professional clergy and a non-professional laity with the laity expecting all of the work to be done by the clergy. Instead of going into the world, we try to bring the world to Church where the pastor can preach or minister to them.

Since the world doesn't typically want to attend Church, it becomes necessary to create bigger, better, flashier programs to attract the world. Of course, it also means that like any other retail business, location becomes of supreme importance. As many people as possible must see the Church building. Naturally, size then becomes a consideration. It is necessary to keep building bigger and bigger buildings in order to maintain the programs and attract as many people as possible.

This is opposite of Jesus' instructions. He said that the field is the world. We are to go into the world and make disciples. The field is the workplace not the Church. The Church is for believers. It is a place of rest and refreshing in the Spirit.

BIBLICAL STRUCTURE

There are two main forms of leadership in the Church--elders (presbyters) which are local and apostolic teams which are trans-local. These function as the two legs that the Body of Christ uses to walk--apostles appoint elders who send forth apostles who appoint elders etc.

Presbyters (elders) is a collective noun which means a group of presbyters (elders) and is the transliteration of the Greek word "presbuteros", which means elder. The functioning and government of elders has been familiar to God's people all the way back through the Old Testament. As a matter of fact, anywhere in the world where you find primitive social groups, you will find a varying concept of eldership being understood. Basically, that is the way they are governed -- by elders. They may not apply it properly, by our understanding, but at least they have an understanding of what an elder is which is more than can be said of some of us.

The scripture seems to imply that elders are God's permanent form of government. The concept of elders starts in Genesis and goes all the way through Revelation. We read about the elders in Heaven who are worshiping God night and day. We have to think of this concept of elders as something that God has established as His form of government.

When God designs something, it is perfect. God gave Noah specific instructions on the building of the Ark and, if followed, would create a vessel capable of all that was intended of it. If Noah had had "a better idea" on any part of the construction, then the Ark would not have functioned as intended. It was the same with Moses and the Tabernacle. God gave specific design instructions and we are told that it was a shadow of something in the Heavens. So it is with God's government which also has its counterpart in the Heavens. It is not up to us to "have a better idea" or change the form and purpose of the governmental functions.

While there is only one Head, all other leadership is plural. Everywhere that elder is used in the New Testament, it is plural. This is God's safety feature for His people (Prov. 11:14; 24:6). Because not one person has the right to force his decision on the people, it causes the elders to seek God for unity of decision. This gives the Lord the practical, functional headship that the scriptures present. Until agreement is reached through the Spirit, no decision is forthcoming.

Elders are shepherds who oversee the flock. They are the highest authority in a local Church. There is no one "over" the Elders except the Lord.

The second type of leadership mentioned is that of mobile apostolic teams. Until recently, the concept of Apostles has not received much study, thought, or discussion in the Church. Twenty years ago nobody talked about elders, but then God began to open our understanding and people began to seek out the truth about elders.

The Holy Spirit is beginning to focus on apostles and apostolic teams in order to bring about the same desire for truth, the same seeking after understanding. And the holy spirit is beginning to open our understanding to apostles and apostolic teams. The greatest major deficiency of God's people in this area is a failure to appreciate what apostolic teams are intended to be. In the evolution of the church, the apostolic teams were first and the elders were second. it is very important that we understand this. It is one of those things that tradition has been calling one thing while it is really something else.

Characteristics of Both Types of Leadership

The Denomination leadership has the same characteristics as that of the world system. It is a hierarchy where each position is a stepping stone to the next. Little regard is given to call and anointing. Business success or education become the determining factors. As long as the Church operates like a business corporation it will be hindered in its ability to function according to the desires and wishes of the Lord.

To look at biblical leadership, let's look first at the local presbyters. Local means they are resident in a locality. Secondly, let's look at mobile apostolic teams. Mobile means they are not local but move from place to place. Characteristically each is normally plural. Presbyters is invariably plural. This is demanded by the fact that it is a collective noun.

You would have to search a long way in the new testament to find an apostle functioning on his own. The apostles usually moved in teams and sometimes they were much larger teams than sometimes we realize. They were not lone rangers. Each team was sovereign in its own sphere but not independent.

BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP

Isaiah says our ways are not God's ways³¹. We can't substitute our ways when God expects us to use His ways. We must learn God's ways and conform to them if we want to walk in the fullness of what the Lord has for us. Perhaps nowhere is this truth more apparent today that in Christian leadership.

When we accept the world's methods of leadership, we make the word of God ineffectual. Jesus said in Matthew 15:6, "…Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." He was speaking of the application of the commandments to our lives and how some would try to circumvent the requirements by using man made traditions.

Biblical leadership is recruited by God not man.

The priests in Israel were so numerous in Jesus' day that they had to wait their turn for temple duty yet not one of them was numbered among the Lord's disciples. None of the 12 apostles volunteered for the job. Everyone was conscripted^³² by God.

Today, we attempt to get the Lord's work done by recruiting talent and leadership from secular ranks assuming natural talents are indispensable for the efficient management of the Church. We assume that corporate executives make the best board chairmen and that certified public accounts make the best church treasurers. This assumption is based on man's thinking and not on God's.

Many times the pressure of need prompts choices that later may prove unwise. This is shown in the New Testament by the disciples in their urgency to fill the vacancy in their rank after the death of Judas Iscariot. They selected two additional followers of Jesus, Joseph Justice and Mathias. They cast lots between them and chose Mathias and Acts 1:26 says he was numbered among the 12 apostles. However, we never hear of Mathias again and shortly after this the Lord himself recruits a young man named Saul, who later became Paul. Obviously Paul was the Lord's choice for replacing Judas. Although Paul steadfastly refused to put himself at a level with the original 12 (see I Cor. 15:9) Paul more than filled the gaps in the apostolic ranks. In II Cor. 10:18 Paul is reminding us that while youthful zeal, talent, and self confidence looks good in man's eyes, they are not necessarily God's prerequisites for leadership.

What is man's part in the selection of leadership then? God chooses leadership, man recognizes it and confirms that leadership by the act of ordination. Paul and Silas followed this procedure in Acts 14:23 where they ordained elders in every church and they committed them to the Lord. But this is not an arbitrary choice on their part but they were confirming the leadership the Lord had already given. Paul makes this plain in his farewell to the Ephesian elders in Act 20:28 where he talks about the overseers which God has made for the Flock.

Biblical leadership is selected more on potential than on achievement.

The principle of growth fills the entire New Testament. Jesus said that the growth in the Kingdom of God is like growth in nature: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn on the ear (Mark 4:28.) God's choice of leadership is not determined by a maturity already achieved but by potential. The Lord knows our hearts and He sees the end from the beginning. He already knows the outcome.

In fact, God often calls men whom the world considers unqualified and proceeds to pour some of His most powerful ministries through them. Their ministries are not based on their abilities, but on the Lord's. It is important for those chosen for leadership to know that the choice was not made on the basis of their own talents. The minister will grow into the fulfillment of his ministry provided he remains humble and faithful. In I Cor. 2:3-5 Paul himself follows this pattern. He completely discounts all of his own brilliance and intellectual ability and gives all of the glory to God.

Biblical leadership is endorsed by other leadership.

The study of the New testament church clearly indicates it's leaders practiced the principle of endorsement. In Acts 15 the dispute, between Paul and Barnabas and the Judaizers concerning the question of the gentile Christians keeping the law, is referred to a council of apostles and elders in Jerusalem. From the letter sent announcing the decision of that council it is clear that the Judaizers were acting without endorsement (Acts 15:24.) Endorsement is the recognition of responsible leadership by other responsible leadership. Paul was not hesitant to both recommend responsible ministers and denounce false ones. See Phil 2:19,20,24-25 II Tim 1:15 2:16-18.

Biblical leadership is submitted to other leadership.

Even more crucial than the need for ministers to be endorsed is the need for them to be submitted to other leadership. Every man raised up in leadership has the responsibility of recognizing and submitting to those that God has placed over him (I Thes 5: 12-13.) Without the principle of endorsement, the principle of submission is not yet fully accepted by many of the ministers of the body of Christ. We must admit that there are unsubmitted, even rebellious, ministries which are blessing God's people. The blessings are God's gracious response to the needs of His people. They do not necessarily indicate his approval of the minister. God blesses many things he does not approve. We live in a day in which divine blessings are falling like abundant rain from heaven and God sends his rain on the just and the unjust (Matt 5:45.) Sometimes his blessings are given, not because we are all obedient, but to lead us into obedience. God does not bless rebellion but he often blesses in spite of rebellion.

To ovoid being in rebellion, every ministry in the body of Christ should be in submission to other ministries and every minister should be able to identify those God has placed in relationship with him and to whom there should be mutual submission. To say "I serve God only and no man can tell me what to do" is not only rebellion but it is sheer stupidity. As one wise minister said "If you are too big to be led then you are too little to lead."

Biblical leadership exalts the Lord and not the leader.

Leaders of the church occupy positions of unique privilege and peril. These are days of multiplied miracles. Often the praise and thanksgiving meant for God falls on the Minister. God himself has a bountiful supply of situations tailor made to help keep us humble. I can say this with the confidence that is born of painful experience. Paul reminds us in II Cor 4:7 that we have this treasure in earthen vessels.

Christians have developed a warped view of what constitutes mature Christian leadership. The more mature a Christian is the more natural he is. He shares the truth God has entrusted to him in a way which accurately reflects his own personality. He does not project a false piousness or a fake holiness that separates him from people. He gets credit for his ministry to God but the glory is put on the Lord where it belongs. He does this without false humility. He is secure but not complacent in the task of performing his ministry. He has also learned not take himself too seriously.

Biblical leadership is masculine not feminine.

In the New Testament, leadership, authority, and government are distinctly male responsibilities. This is not in any way a designation of superior or inferior roles, it is a revelation of divine purpose. Both Paul and Peter make it plain that Christian men and women are of equal value in the Kingdom of God, however, equal worth does not imply equal function (Gal 3:28; I Pet 3:7). It is on the basis of divine distinction of function that Paul said in I Tim 2:12-14 that he suffered not a woman to teach or usurp authority over a man. For women to be excluded from positions of leadership and authority is not a matter of divine discrimination but it is a matter of divine protection. A woman's role according to scripture, is a highly favored, blessed and protected position.

In chapter 11 of 1 Corinthians, Paul explains about covering and its importance: "For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels." (1 Cor 11:10) "Power" is translated from a word that is also translated as "authority" and "jurisdiction". Paul is saying that it is necessary that a woman have "authority on her head", i.e., be "under authority". He explains the covering or authority structure: God is the head of Christ, Christ is the head of the man, and the man is the head of the woman. This has nothing to do with value or worth. It has everything to do with protection and safety and is God's ordained governmental pattern.

Paul said that it is necessary for the woman to be under authority because of the angels. What did he mean by that statement? To which angels is he referring? Obviously, women would have

GOD’S BLUEPRINT FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

INTRODUCTION

NEW TESTAMENT LIFE

NEW TESTAMENT PEOPLE

NEW TESTAMENT GOVERNMENT