Churchwork
11-21-2005, 11:16 AM
Please do not take this lightly. This is the key to the superstructure of the church and the work, and its spiritual foundation for growth and propigation.
The workers have as their center a Biblical city in which they always come back to as they go out to the various localities in their reigion to appoint elders (bishops). There is one Biblical city per region or area (e.g. Jerusalem was the center for Judea and Samaria). Informal apostles (the workers) return from time to time (even spending 50% of the time away) to the center. Paul returned to Antioch. Peter returned to Jerusalem.
The importance of this center is vital, for it is a foundation that becomes the mainstay.
2 Corinthians 10, we find the most important verse in the Bible regarding this center and regional scope, "Now we will not boast out of measure, but according to the measure of the rule which the God of measure has apportioned us, to reach to you also" (v.13 Darby).
The portion of measure appointed is each region or sphere or scope of the work for the informal apostles of that particular region.
The church localities, and within them their many meeting places, have their scope to be the locality as a unit itself, and nothing more. They do not have any jurisdiction over other localities. This is the way of the Lord.
As the informal apostles go from town to town, so do believers in Christ spread out. The informal apostles then select elders from those who have spread out or those who are born-again in the locality already. This is the most efficacious way of the Lord.
The workers have as their center a Biblical city in which they always come back to as they go out to the various localities in their reigion to appoint elders (bishops). There is one Biblical city per region or area (e.g. Jerusalem was the center for Judea and Samaria). Informal apostles (the workers) return from time to time (even spending 50% of the time away) to the center. Paul returned to Antioch. Peter returned to Jerusalem.
The importance of this center is vital, for it is a foundation that becomes the mainstay.
2 Corinthians 10, we find the most important verse in the Bible regarding this center and regional scope, "Now we will not boast out of measure, but according to the measure of the rule which the God of measure has apportioned us, to reach to you also" (v.13 Darby).
The portion of measure appointed is each region or sphere or scope of the work for the informal apostles of that particular region.
The church localities, and within them their many meeting places, have their scope to be the locality as a unit itself, and nothing more. They do not have any jurisdiction over other localities. This is the way of the Lord.
As the informal apostles go from town to town, so do believers in Christ spread out. The informal apostles then select elders from those who have spread out or those who are born-again in the locality already. This is the most efficacious way of the Lord.