Jeff@qlbc

Jesus is the head of the church and we are His body. We are united to Him and by Him. He gave His life for us and has enlived us by the Holy Spirit. We all come to Christ and are healed by Him in the same way. We must humble ourselves and love one another and not despise each other because we are a mirror of what Christ has done for each one of us.

Pastor Ralph says, "we need to begin looking at the present-day church in the way Christ looks at it. Christ has already forgiven and cleansed us. He has already made us holy and without blemish in his sight. He has washed away our sins. We need to start living like what we are." In this sense the church is glorious and resplendent in God's eye right now. The glory, purity and splendor of Christ's bride will be fully revealed to us when He returns and we celebrate at the marriage supper of the Lamb of God.

Pastor Ralph, please delete post #40 and 41. They are horrible!

The Word of God convicts us of our sins and shows us how Christ cleanses and purifies us. This is good news! God does not leave us in our sinful condition, but gives us the means for renewal. The church is called to proclaim this good news.

The church is holy because Jesus has set her apart, loved her, washed her sins,hurts and guilt away, and has set her apart as his own beloved bride. Holiness is something that Jesus does for us. We do not make ourselves holy. This levels the playing field because we all must stand at the foot of the cross together. We are called to be holy just as He is holy. We, the church, must stand together, submit to the Holy Spirit's sanctifing work, and humbly serve one another in love just as Christ has served and loved us.

Christ was not forced to give His life for us. He gave His life for us because He was compelled by love for those His Father had elected for salvation. His sacrifice was altruistic in the sense that He gave up His rightful place in glory to redeem us. His main interest was to please and bring glory to His Father. I don't think I'd call that self-serving, but another aspect of His altruistic nature.

Submission means that a person voluntarily puts the interests of another ahead of their own. I lifted some of Pastor Ralph's thoughts about submission and will make some brief comments. "A submitted church listens and seeks to find out what Christ wants." We submit ourselves by searching the Scriptures to find out what Christ's interests are and then we follow Him. "A submitted church is faithful to believe and transmit Christ's teachings, even in a culture that is hostile to them." It is easy to go along with popular opinion because it follows the path of the least resistance. The church is called to speak the truth in love. "A submitted church is committed to carrying out Christ's work in the world." We are called to actively seek out people who are in need and present the Gospel to them by word and deed. "A submitted church is not selfish about members getting their own needs met, but zealous that Christ's priorities are primary." We are called to listen others and not seek our own way, but what is best for the church. Jesus submitted Himself to His Father's will and gave His life for us. We submit to Jesus by giving our lives to Him.

The purpose of a healthy congregation is to unite and mature the Body of Christ. A united, mature church is characterized by telling the truth in love, and focuses on helping the congregation transform into Christlikeness.

A pastor is a shepherd. A pastor makes sure that the flock is safe from false teachings or doctrines, provides for the spiritual well-being of the congregation and guides the flock to follow the Good Shepherd by encouraging them to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. A teacher really does does many of the same things perhaps with an emphasis on teaching the stories and truth of the Bible. A pastor or teacher or combination of the two do not necessarily have to be paid however one that is not may have to divide his or her time to make a living. I know many people who are pastors and teachers who are neither full-time or are paid. They are called and are vital to the body of Christ.

Evangelists are people who have a deep concern for people whom God is calling to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. They come alongside people who they sense God is calling into His kingdom and lead them to our Savior. They are able to present the Gospel in a way that leads to saving faith. An evangelist not only presents the Gospel, but encourages a person to continue on their path to discipleship. This usually includes referring people to teachers and pastors who can guide them. Some are called to be evangelists, teachers, shepherds, prophets, apostles etc. We all work together as the Holy Spirit completes the work of regeneration in a person's life. Some plant, some water, but it is God who gives the increase.

The Biblical Prophets and Apostles were chosen by God to reveal His Word to God's covenant people. While I do believe that the Prophets and the Apostles in the Bible are unique, there are people with prophetic and apostolic ministries at this present time. The contemporary prophets and apostles never contradict or add to the revelation given by God to the Biblical Prophets and Apostles rather contemporary prophets give God's perspective on current circumstances and contemporary apostles lay the foundation for the ongoing ministry of the church in the present age.

The church is Christ's body here on earth. The Holy Spirit makes Christ known through us. Each one of us is a part of Christ's body. Each one of us has been given a gift, a charis to make Christ known and to strenghten the Body. Therefore, it is important for each one of us to yield ourselves to receive the gifts the Holy Spirit brings.

I plan to listen more to other people's viewpoints and opinions before I speak. I confess that I like to get my own way. I pray that God will help me to be more humble.

Baptism is an outward sign of what Jesus Christ has done on our behalf on the inside. It is what baptism represents that unites us not the way it is administered. When I view baptism that way I tend to be more accepting of the different methods churches use to administer this sacrament. If a person has made a profession of saving faith then who am I to quench the Spirit on the method of baptism?

The seven elements are: one...body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father. Every one of these elements unite us as Christians and cascade from one element to another. The fact that we have one faith is the most compelling to me. If we can agree on the central tennant of our faith i.e. John 3:16 (God loves us and wants to give us eternal life through His Son, Jesus), 1Corinthians 15:3-4 (the means by which we have salvation and are united with God, our Father (Christ's death, burial and resurrection), we will fulfull our mission to reach the world with Christ's love. The fact that we follow one Lord means that we (all) make every effort to become and act like Jesus.