On my last post about relationships in the church, we talked about how we’re all members of the same body. In essence, we belong to one another in the same way that your feet or your arm belongs to your body. Today, I want to discuss some of the things that God can do between believers utilizing the relationships that we have with one another.
The Impartation of Spiritual Gifts:
(Romans 1:11) “I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong.”
In this scripture Paul says a couple of profound things to the Roman church. First, he indicates that the fellowship of believers provides the opportunity for the transfer of spiritual gifts. Second, he implies that this ability to transfer gifts one to another is designed for the strengthening of the church. It also seems to have been important that Paul actually have physical contact with the body of Roman believers in order for the transfer to take place.
Equipping One Another For Ministry:
Think of the story of Elijah and Elisha. Elijah was commissioned by the Lord to anoint Elisha as a prophet. 1 Kings 19:16 says “…and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.” In verse 19 of that chapter, Elijah actually physically validates the impending ministry of Elisha and anoints him by throwing the mantle upon him.
I believe that the re-emergence of the ascension gifting of Apostolic authority will increase the number of anointed ministers coming forth through the model presented above. God is calling Apostles whose job it is to disciple and prepare ministers who will revolutionize the world through their radical impartation of the Holy Spirit. The relationship between apostle and disciple allows the authority of the Apostle to be exercised without creating dissension in the ranks.
Further, I believe that the Holy Spirit desires to use that Apostolic discipleship relationship to authorize and validate ministry. Acts 15:24 says ” We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.” In this passage, some believers had come from Judea to Antioch and were teaching doctrines that were causing a lot of grief to the young, mostly gentile church in that area. The verse above comes from a letter written by the Apostolic council to the church at Antioch. In it, I believe that the Apostolic Council outlines Gods intention to have all ministers subject to the authority of the Kingdom of God. Relationships between Apostles and Disciples allow that to happen, keeping all things decent and in order.
I get the feeling that “relationship” and “discipleship” are words for the season in our church. God had confirmed this to me personally through a vision. Let’s keep pressing in to the subject and see where the Lord is taking us.
I agree that relationships are an important part of growing as a church body. Here are some more scriptures to back it up.
1 Corinthians 12:12 – The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:8-10 – To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another he gives the gift of special knowledge. The Spirit gives special faith to another, and to someone else he gives the power to heal the sick. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.
Ephesians 4:16 – Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
So basically, God gives us each a special gift and places us together (not just haphazardly, but PERFECTLY), as one body. And as each person performs their special gift, it helps the other parts grow (both in their own spiritual walk and as one unified body of Christ).
Amazing!