Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Acts 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Acts 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Acts 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Mat 16:17-19 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, … and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Eph 3:3-5 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
1 Cor 12:28 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.
Eph 4:11-16 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
In the Book of the Acts of the Apostles we begin to see the Church functioning, as it should. There were demonstrations of mighty power, the Body of Christ was unified and consequently, the world was changed. Then about the time Stephen was martyred the Church began to depart from some of the pure Word and began to do things by their plans. The believers began to focus only on the basic foundational teaching and not progress to maturity in Christ. People were deceived and allowed the teaching of the original apostles to be diluted with untruth, thus making the teaching a lie. Man inserted false teaching into the foundation that Jesus laid during His ministry on earth. The church was build on a faulty foundation, just as demonstrated in the following verse:
· Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
· Read Matthew 16:13-19 Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The Meat vs. Milk Group
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Hebrews 5:12-14 “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” |
God gave us four natural food groups:
The Milk Group:
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1 Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” |
Milk includes the following:
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Spiritual Milk |
Scriptural References |
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1 |
Repentance from Dead Works |
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, |
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2 |
Faith toward God; the God kind of faith. |
Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. |
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3 |
Doctrine of Baptisms |
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. |
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4 |
Laying on of Hands |
1 Tim 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.1 Tim 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, |
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5 |
Resurrection of the Dead |
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. |
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6 |
Eternal Judgment |
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: |
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7 |
Knowing God’s ways |
James 1:2-8 Count it all Joy… |
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8 |
How to handle one who “falls short” |
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. |
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9 |
Living in the Kingdom of God |
Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God…
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10 |
Proper Marriage |
(1 Cor 3:3 KJV) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? |
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11 |
Having Communion |
1 Cor 11:24-27 |
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12 |
The gifts of the Spirit: 1 Cor 12:4 (Read) Charismata (Rom. 12), Ministry (Eph.4: 11) and Manifestation gifts 1 Cor 12:8-11 |
Romans 12:1-15 (The Charisma or Motivational Gifts) Ephesians 4:11 (The 5-Fold Ministry) 1 Cor. 12:8-11 (Manifestations of the above added together.) |
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13 |
Proper use of the gifts of the Spirit; particularly the Charismata gifts |
1 Cor 12:4-7 Look up and read…diversities of gifts…
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14 |
The order of ministries in the local Body |
1 Cor 12:28 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.
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15 |
Giving of finances in the local Body; |
2 Cor 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.2 Cor 9:9 1 Tim 5:18 |
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16 |
Given to Hospitality |
1 Pet 4:9 |
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17 |
Crucified with Christ |
Gal 2:20a 2 Cor 5:17 |
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18 |
Seedtime and Harvest |
Gen 8:22 |
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19 |
Agape Love the brethren |
(1 John 3:14 ) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. |
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20 |
Not loving the things of the world |
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
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21 |
You are the Righteousness of God |
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. |
In the natural realm the physical body starts out with milk then goes on to cereal and fruit before going on to bread. Finally as it grows older it begins to eat meat. In the spiritual realm the same sequence is to be followed. Many new believers never get beyond the milk stage and choke when they try to eat from the other food groups.
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Hebrews 6: 1-2 “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” |
· Repentance from Dead Works
· Faith toward God
· The doctrine of Baptisms
· Laying on of Hands
· Resurrection of the Dead
· Eternal Judgment
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1 Corinthians 3: 2-3 reads: “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” |
The Fruit Group:
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Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” |
There is a whole new set of values for the newborn babe in Christ to learn and practice. Once the foundation has been set and solidified in the new believer’s life then he is ready to move on to fruit. The development of fruit begins when the new believer submits to the spirit (his re-born spirit) while keeping his flesh crucified (the works of the flesh).
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Gal 5:14-26 “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” |
Love: The first commandment is Mark 12:30-31: “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.”
If that is true and one does these things, then becoming a true disciple, as Jesus requires of us, is no problem. We will willingly forsake all, take up our crosses daily, continue in His Word, love the brethren and bear fruit. Read Matthew 16:24 and John 8:31
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Matt. 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let hin deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” |
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John 8:31 “Then Jesus said to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed:” |
Now read John 15:1-14:
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John 15:1-14 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” |
The Bread Group:
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Matthew 15:21-28 “Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” |
Turn to Matthew 15:21-28: “Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”
What was the bread that she wanted? Deliverance for her daughter, the supernatural power is the bread, which is received by faith. Notice that Jesus says to the woman, “…Oh woman, great is thy faith.” It is through faith that we receive miracles, healings, deliverance and provision.
Meat is tougher to digest. It is stronger food. Paul, the apostle, said 1 Cor 3: 2-4 “…I have fed you with milk, and not strong meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able…” Why were they not able? It was because they were still feeding on milk. How did he know they were babes? Because they were still experiencing envy, strife and division. As long as envy and strife are found in believers’ lives, the people are not yet ready for meat. Meat is the substance of deeper truths of the Word. Strong meat deals with understanding the mysteries of Christ and applying the precepts of the Word.
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Col. 1:25-28: “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” |
5-Fold and how they function
Office
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Method of Ministry |
Helps to grow church in: |
Food it brings |
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Apostles
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All methods below |
All ways below as needed |
All food Groups as needed |
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Prophets |
Foreteller, Inspired Speaker, a Poet, a Seer of Man’s Thoughts |
Faith |
Bread |
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Evangelists |
Preaching |
Size (New converts are added to the church) |
Milk |
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*Shepherds / Pastors
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Discipleship & Training |
Virtue – Righteousness - Holiness |
Fruit |
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Teachers |
Teaching |
Understanding |
Meat |
List the Milk and the Fruit:
Milk: essentials for the new- born |
Fruit of your spirit |
BreadFaith For: |
MeatDeeper Truths |
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. |
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. |
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