CHURCH
> About TTN
An Apostolic House is firstly "Apostolic" in that it is governed by or submits (through relationship) to the apostolic grace gifting, allowing this fundamental gift to establish God’s order in the assembly and impart this dimension of grace to their lives.
It is furthermore a "House" implying that it is a dwelling place, a household, wherein members live; a family in which there is a spiritual father, mother and children.
As an apostolic house we therefore simply acknowledge these two things as being foundational for our understanding of what it means to be the household of God, namely that;
1. God has placed a set man (leader) over us who governs with a certain dimension of the apostolic grace (which is part of the five fold ministry grace giftings given by Jesus at His ascension - Ephesians 4:11), and that;
2. We are part of God’s household as sons and that the set man is the spiritual father of the house, so chosen and ordained by God to be His representative in governing the local assembly. As in the natural we are part of families with fathers and mothers, so also in the spiritual; this is the order God has chosen for His church.
Although the operation of the apostolic house has its intricacies and dynamics, some of the essentials in ensuring that it operates effectively can be briefly summed up as being the following:
1. The father (set man) of the house exercises and manifests his calling in bringing God's order to the house, which includes love, discipline and unfailing commitment to seeing Christ formed in his sons (Galatians 4:19). This finds practical expression in the accurate and effective, uncompromising ministering of the Word of Truth in establishing the order of God in the hearts and minds of the sons (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:2, Genesis 18:19).
2. The members in the house must realize that an apostolic household requires that God's order be established in relationships concerning the father-son order. As the father commits to giving his life in ruling for their benefit (in self sacrificial service) they must understand that their calling is unto obedience to that order of God and submitting to and adhering to the instruction of the father, as he leads and guides them as God shows him, for their, and the household's benefit (Proverbs 1:8, Proverbs 15:5, Ephesians 6:1, Hebrews 13:7).
A word from Dr. Ben:
Acts 2:42 gives us a very clear and definite indication as to how the New Testament Church should function accurately.
ACTS 2:42
42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." KJV
Here we find the specific sequence and order of how the New Testament Church functioned in the early days, as well as how the true New Testament Church is to operate today.
1) They steadfastly followed the "doctrines of the apostles":
Note that the scripture does not say that the church followed the doctrines of Jesus, which is obviously a non-negotiable, but that they followed (continued steadfastly in) the doctrines that came through revelation to the apostles.
In Pentecost all we wanted to do was to pray, pray, pray.
Don't get me wrong; prayer is very important, but it must be placed in the proper and correct context.
Jesus said "You don't have because you ask not". The problem is not the asking, but to ask accurately, according to His Word and will for our lives.
If we don't get our doctrines right, which is the foundation of the church that comes through the ministry of an apostle, (Eph 2:20) we cannot expect to get anything from God.
EPHESIANS 2:19-22
19 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. " KJV
2) Then they fellowshipped:
In this season fellowship is very important for the church to function accurately.
3) Then they broke bread:
a) This indicates that we should have communion on a regular basis to commemorate and renew our focus on the finished work of Christ, through the cross.
b) It also talks about the living bread, the word of God; revelation knowledge and wisdom, that has to flow into the New Testament Church.
4) Then they prayed:
It is only now that we properly understand doctrine, have fellowship with one another and have revelation knowledge, that we can pray accurately and effectively.
Prayer is important, but we should not be ignorant that when we pray we should be educated and informed so that we pray according to His will for our lives.
We should pray without
ceasing, but it is in vain if we do not pray accurately and according to His
word.
Site Translation: