This study was first taught on August 12, 2018

Topic: What is the Church of God? (4): The 4 ‘P’s (1)

(use the audio to study)

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Background
In Part 39, looking at “What is the Church of God?” still, we focused on “The Place of Ministers of God in the Church”. Having noted that the Holy Spirit runs the local assembly through men prepared to do that, we then had to address the place of ministers of God in general.

To address this, we saw that the Holy Spirit had noted that the apostles went about “confirming the churches”—strengthening, encouraging, or edifying the churches. They also were engaged in establishing believers in the faith—teaching them to trust God and His word absolutely, having come from backgrounds that trusted in every other thing, except God. To be able to achieve these things (confirming the churches, establishing the faith of believers, perfecting the saints for the work of ministry, etc.) the Holy Spirit established two broad groups of ministers: those who run the local assembly on a day-to-day basis—the Administrators, which include, bishops, deacons, both grouped as elders or shepherds—and, those who speak to the churches on behalf of God and who go from place to place—the Ambassadors, which include, the apostles, prophets, and evangelists; as they are specifically sent, as against the general sending of all believers.

Thus, we concluded that ministers of God play very significant roles in feeding and building the church. They ‘plant’ the seed of the word of God into the hearts of men; they ‘water’ the seed by reiterating the word of God through teachings and exhortation; and they ‘harvest’ the souls that do come to Christ, into the Body where they are edified and prepared for ministry—divine service.

These ministers don’t just get randomly picked. They are called, chosen, and consecrated for the work of God, which is primarily to grow and groom the church (the body of believers).

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 2:1-4; 1:8
On the day of Pentecost, the people who had committed themselves to Christ were gathered together in one place, and with one accord (purpose), and when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were empowered, and the impact was visible, audible, tangible!
When we talk of “The 4 ‘P’s”, we are talking of four fundamental elements or parameter beginning with the English letter ‘P’ which, when aggregated, make up what really is the church of God. These ‘P’s are; People, Place, Power, and Purpose. We pray that the Holy Spirit will make things clearer, as we study, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
John 20:30-31; Matthew 16:13-18; Acts 2:37-41; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Peter 2:5-11; Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 12:18-24; Revelation 21:1-3; Matthew 5:13-16; 4:12-17; Luke 14:34-35; John 12:46; Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 60:1-3; Acts 13:47; 26:15-23; Revelation 1:20; Acts 8:1; 11:22, 26; 13:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:1; 1 Corinthians 16:1; Galatians 1:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:1; Galatians 1:22; Revelation 1:4, 11; Colossians 4:15-17; Philemon 1:1-2; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Acts 2:46.

Conclusion
What makes the church of the Living God are the people gathered together within a meeting venue in a geographical territory that they ought to influence with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, for a witness/testimony in the day of Judgment (Matthew 24:14). The question then is, “How has the church witnessed to its community?” Or put in more personal terms, “How have you witnessed to your neighbourhood, including your community/place of vocation/employment about the Lord Jesus Christ?” Or put differently, “Has the church been salt and light to the world, or more specifically, to the community/locality within which it has been planted?”

Let us call to mind the hymn:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Saviour so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him,
Must I empty-handed go?

“Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?

Not at death I shrink or falter,
For my Saviour saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.

Oh, the years in sinning wasted,
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Saviour,
To His Will I’d gladly bow.

O ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’er take thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.

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