In the Church

Truths of the Earliest Christianity that Mutated Leading to Formation of Later Divisions

Ian Johnson December 24, 2020 3 Comments

This is an outline of the first part of my attempt to link early errors of organized Christianity to the state of the modern world–specifically, in this part, by explaining some of the foundations of the earliest Christianity from which later errors diverged. Links will be added as future posts are written.

A God who Speaks, Adoption, Background Information, Church History, Islamic History and Secular History Interaction, Complex unity, Eternity Present, Free will, God Speaks to Us, God was never our enemy, God's Existence and Nature, God's purpose for us, God's sovereignty, His Children, His Friends, Historical Background, In the Church, Index, Meaning of Unity, Other Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Peril of Seeking Numbers, Peril of Seeking Power, Peril of Seeking Respectability, Prophecy, Purpose of the Church, Reconciliation, Regeneration, Restoration of God's Image, Salvation, Show us the Way of Truth, Sin, Sins versus sin, The Invisible God's Self-Existence, The universal Church and local churches, Through others, Through the church, To be his ambassadors, To be in his image, Topic Index, Trinity, What is God's Word, What is sin?

Christian Teachings, doctrine, Earliest Christianity, evangelism, Holy Spirit, Index, Jesus, Monotheism, pacifism, social order, war

THE KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS OUTLINE

Ian Johnson December 20, 2020 2 Comments

This is an index of a series of posts on the subject of the Kingdom of the Heavens as a past, present and future reality of God’s work with us, not limited to the apocalyptic future. Links will be added as future posts are written.

In the Church, Meaning of Unity, Purpose of the Church, The Kingdom of the Heavens, The universal Church and local churches, Topic Index

heaven, heavens, Index, kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven, Kingdom of the heavens, the heavens

Conclusion–Mutual Submission to Each Other Under Christ, Not a Chain of Command

Ian Johnson December 10, 2020 1 Comment

For unity to be seen in the Church, there must be submission—first submission to Christ as Head of the Church, then mutual submission to each other. A part of this necessary submission is to submit to those God has placed in leadership in the Church. But submission to leadership must come after submission to Christ, and be an aspect of mutual submission to each other. Much division has been caused by leaders who have insisted that they, and other human leaders, should be “in command” of the church. Only Christ is rightfully in command.

A God who Speaks, Authority Contests, Divisions in the Church, God Speaks to Us, Heresy, In the Church, Meaning of Unity, Other Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Our Oneness in Christ book revision, Peril of Seeking Power, The universal Church and local churches, Through others, Through the church, Uncategorized

chain of command, church government, Church unity, leaders, leadership, mutual submission, submission, Unity, Unity of believers

Apostles

Ian Johnson November 27, 2020 2 Comments

The distinguishing mark of the apostle is the apostolic functions of starting new works, of guiding resolution of conflicts, and of ordaining and directing organization in the Body. Since these functions are still needed, it follows God still gives the church people gifted for these functions, whether we call them apostles or not.

A God who Speaks, God Speaks to Us, In the Church, Meaning of Unity, Our Oneness in Christ book revision, Purpose of the Church, The universal Church and local churches, Through others, Through the church, What is God's Word

Apostle, Apostles, authority, authority figures, authority in the Church, Gifts to the Church

Authority Figures in the Church — Deacons

Ian Johnson November 22, 2020 2 Comments

The New Testament provides for deacons as servants of the local church, administering alms to its widows, orphans and poor members. They are not spoken of as being in charge, but those who serve well obtain good standing and great boldness, as the martyr Stephen and Phillip the Evangelist did.

A God who Speaks, Disrespecting poor believers, Divisions in the Church, God Speaks to Us, In the Church, Meaning of Unity, Our Oneness in Christ book revision, Purpose of the Church, The universal Church and local churches, Through the church

authority, authority figures, authority in the Church, boldness, deacons, ministry to the poor, Phillip the deacon, Phillip the evangelist, servants, Stephen, Stephen the martyr, widows

Authority Figures in the New Testament–“Bishop”– Inspector and Model

Ian Johnson November 13, 2020 2 Comments

Christ is himself the Head of the Church, But visible, local churches, as human organizations, also need visible leadership. “Bishops” or “overseers,” as mentioned in the New Testament refer to people who have the function of overseeing others’ work and providing a model of right living, not an office of lordship over the church,

In the Church, Meaning of Unity, Our Oneness in Christ book revision, Through the church

authority, authority figures, authority in the Church, bishop, inspector, model, overseer, qualifications

Mutual Submission is the Key

Ian Johnson November 8, 2020 2 Comments

Unity in the church arises, not from submission to a power structure, but from mutual submission to each other, seeking each other’s good above our own, in submission to Christ.

A God who Speaks, Desire to have our own way, God Speaks to Us, In the Church, Meaning of Unity, Our Oneness in Christ book revision, Reconciliation, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, Through others, Through the church, To live in unity

Body, Body of Christ, counting each other more important than ourselves, Equal, equality, equality of members, humility, Love, mutual benefit, mutual submission, power, submission, submit

Christ is the Head of the Church

Ian Johnson November 6, 2020 2 Comments

Unity in the Church is our mutual recognition that the Church has only one Head, Jesus Christ.

A God who Speaks, God Speaks to Us, In the Church, Meaning of Unity, Our Oneness in Christ book revision, Through the church

Christ, Church unity, Head of the Church, Jesus, Jesus Christ, oneness, Only One Head, Unity

Authority, Submission and Oneness

Ian Johnson November 5, 2020 1 Comment

Authority and submission are important to the unity of the Church. But it does not operate based on a human chain of command. It operates based on respect for leaders under a common head.

A God who Speaks, Authority Contests, Church purpose versus church growth, Divisions in the Church, God Speaks to Us, In the Church, Meaning of Unity, Our Oneness in Christ book revision, The universal Church and local churches, Through others, To live in unity

authority, chain of command, Church, Church leadership, heirarchy, in charge, leaders, mutual submission, oneness, submission, Unity

A Disagreement Over Doctrine does Not Necessarily Lead to Heresy—Acts 15

Ian Johnson October 20, 2020 1 Comment

Doctrinal disputes, even over such heavy subjects as our relationship to the Law of Moses, can be settled peacefully within the Church, as shown by the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15.

A God who Speaks, Authority Contests, Divisions in the Church, God Speaks to Us, In the Church, Meaning of Unity, Our Oneness in Christ book revision, Through the church

Acts 15, Apostles, circumcision, Council of Jerusalem, Disagreements, doctrinal disagreements, doctrine, heresy, Law of Moses, partisan, partisanship, party, peaceful resolution

THE KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS OUTLINE

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Conclusion–Mutual Submission to Each Other Under Christ, Not a Chain of Command

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Apostles

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Authority Figures in the Church — Deacons

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Authority Figures in the New Testament–“Bishop”– Inspector and Model

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Mutual Submission is the Key

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Christ is the Head of the Church

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Authority, Submission and Oneness

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A Disagreement Over Doctrine does Not Necessarily Lead to Heresy—Acts 15

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In the Church

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