When you read church history, beginning from the time of the apostles and on through the rise of the institutional church, the Dark Ages, the Reformation, the Revival moments and the pentecostal/charismatic movements, it becomes very clear that Satan has always been trying to derail the Church of God.
It is the Church which is the primary object of God's love, and therefore the primary object of Satan's hatred.
The "early church fathers", those leaders and writers who came after the time of the apostles, were always trying to preserve the unity of the church, and oppose heretics and heresies.
To some extent they were succesful, and we can thank God for that. Ideas such as the Arian heresy, which denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ, were rightly put down by these men.
The Early Church Fathers were concerned for the unity of the Universal Church, and to hold the church together, it was natural to appeal to the authority of bishops - ecclesiastical leaders who had oversight over particular geographical areas.
IT WAS ASSUMED THAT THE BISHOPS AND THE CHURCHES THEY LED COULD ULTIMATELY NOT GO OFF THE TRACK, BECAUSE CHRIST WAS UNDERWRITING THEM AND HAD GIVEN THEM THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TO BIND AND LOOSE - BY WHICH THEY UNDERSTOOD "MAKE THE RULES".
People like Ignatius taught that it was important to "do nothing without the bishop". An interesting idea, but one that denies the principle of Scripture that says that "for as many as are led by the Spirit, these are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14), and other Scriptures like John 3:8, which says:
"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is EVERYONE who is BORN of the Spirit."
God will ultimately stand with a man or woman who is faithful to Him and His Word, even unto death. What counts with God is spiritual regeneration and the giving of place to the Spirit of God in obedience to the Word of God, including the commands to love and serve one another, NOT merely ecclesiastical stamps of approval and s
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Michael,It seems that the
Michael,
It seems that the recent Lakeland controversy has divided the charismatic movement into those who blindly follow "signs and wonders" without discerning the nature or spirit of the annointing, and a faithful remnant of Bereans who stand watching in horror as people supposedly slain in the spirit, manifest what seems to be demonic convulsions.
Thankfully Todd Bentley has taken some time out and God T.V. has suspended their coverage of Lakeland. It is only a matter of time before they will be back again.
The contagiousness of Mr Bentleys "impartation" has taken many by suprise and I wonder why so many are compelled to become involved in it.
Unfortunately the answer seems to be that our churches are seriously lacking in Holy Spirit power. Pastors are failing in their duty to nourish and guide the flock and doctrines of demons have taken the place of the Word of God.
The annointing we received was more than sufficient to empower us to do the work we are called to, yet because churches have abandoned the cross in favour of prosperity doctrine, we now feel the need to regain Gods power by turning to short cuts and quick fixes.
The gnostic "manifest sons of God" doctrine of Todd Bentley could very likely imprison and persecute those who remain true to God. Could it be the fulfillment of Jesus words "brother will betray brother to death"?
I believe that we belong to a movement that IS too big to be derailed. The true church of God. If we seek to know nothing but "Christ, and Him crucified" then I believe that we will be part of the church that no demonic powers shall prevail against.
God bless you Michael.
Pete
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