We encourage all of our members to start a Bible study any place where the Lord leads them where God opens the door.
Acts 16:6-9 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, (7) After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. (8) And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. (9) And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Acts 16:6-9 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, (7) After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. (8) And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. (9) And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
We can see that preachers go by the authority given to them by the church who sent them (in this case Antioch), and as they go where their own hearts decide, the Holy Spirit either opens or closes the door.
What we see as a pattern here is:
Sending Authority to go --> Ordained preacher goes anywhere his heart desires
---> The Holy Spirit opens the door or closes the door ---> God gives conviction to the hearers or allows persecution ---> God saves people ---> Church baptizes people thru the ordained sent preacher ----> they are formed into a church
Another way that God authorized the start of the work is found here:
Acts 11:19-22 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. (20) And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. (21) And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. (22) Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Members of the church in good standing are scattered ---> Preachers are scattered together with these members obeying the Great Comission ---> They travelled and preached the word ---> God opened the door and many believed Christ ---> They reported the matter to their Mother Church ---> their mother church sent representatives to them to confirm the believers and the work of God.
A soulwinning effort can be done anywhere anytime by any member of the church with or without previous approval of his church. It is always a standing order from the Lord himself to all believers with the approval of the Holy Spirit that we should live our faith and talk about our faith. At this stage we are waiting for the Lord's will whether people will believe Christ on that place. Once that happens, it is reported to the church and the church officially recognizes it.
An official regular bible study is a preaching point of the church. It is an effort of the church where a preacher is sent by the church, he goes, others invite, others welcome the invited into the place, the others who stayed behind support in prayer and finances. At this stage, we confirm that the Lord has already opened the door to that place and are just waiting for more to be added.
We then organize the Bible study into a mission which is a church in prospect
No comments:
Post a Comment