sarkakaiaima

Today there is a resurgence in some Protestant circles about the position and ministry of apostles. In some current Protestant circles today that emphasize the charismata (“spiritual gifts”) heavily one will find teaching asserting that the “five-fold” ministry of the Church needs to be restored. They will cite Ephesians 4:11: “He himself granted that some are apostle, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, . . . ” (NRSVue) Some sociologists and historians who study Christianity in the modern period have designated this movement as part of the “third wave” of charismatic renewal movements in the Western world. I am all for people exercising the charismata, and for churches to have a genuine openness to the work of the Holy Spirit. But this movement needs to be noted because it unfortunately had deviated from biblical teaching and the historic practice of the Church. Thus I want to address this matt...

Andrew Murray makes a very helpful point about sanctification and what God wants from believers and further what God desires to do in our bodies. “Many believers fail to watch over their bodies, to observe a holy sobriety through the fear of rendering them unfit for the service of God. Eating and drinking should never impede communion with God. On the contrary, they should help us maintain the body in its normal condition. The apostle spoke also of fornication, this sin that defiles the body and that is in direct opposition to the words, ‘The body is for the Lord.’ It is not simply sexual promiscuity outside the married state, but all voluptuousness, all lack of sobriety regarding sensual pleasure that is condemned in these words: ‘ Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost ’ (1 Corinthians 6:19). In the same way, all that goes to maintain the body—to clothe it, strengthen it, give it rest or enjoyment—should be placed under the control of the Holy Spirit. Just as, under the old cove...