THE GLORIOUS
CHRUCH
Bishop Randy
Barnett, Oklahoma
I like the way the apostle Paul describes
the end-time Church, he calls it “the glorious Church.”
I don’t know exactly all that this phrase means but I
suspect that what he saw in the Spirit was far more wonderful and far more
powerful and far purer than the Church of today. If that Church is anything
like the first-century Church it is indeed a thing to behold! There are a
couple of graphic passages in the Book of Acts that give us a glimpse of that
early Church. Let’s look at these passages and perhaps we can build a clearer
picture of what the glorious Church is supposed to look like:
Acts 2:42-47 NKJV
42 And they continued steadfastly in the
apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many
wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and
had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and
divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in
the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness
and simplicity of heart,
47 Praising God and having favor with all
the people. And
the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32-37 NKJV
32 Now the multitude of those who believed
were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things
he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave
witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them
all.
34 Nor was there anyone among them who
lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought
the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet;
and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And Joses,
who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of
Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus ,
37 having land, sold it, and brought the
money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
There are a
number of qualities found in these passages that we could focus on, subjects
like unity, prayer, power, favor, selflessness, and generosity, and each would
be a powerful teaching. However, I want to emphasize only one right now and
that is the fact that God had put it in the hearts of His people to submit
to His chosen leaders in the Church.
As you know, the
Church is comprised of two categories of believers; the elders and the saints.
Each is equally important to God and loved by Him – He shows no favoritism. The
fivefold ministers (Ephesians 4:11-12) are the elders who lead the Body of
Christ and the saints are the precious sheep of God. Together, the union of
these two categories forms what we call the “structure of the Church.” When the
structure of the Church functions as Jesus intended, it is not only beautiful
to behold but it is powerful in the Spirit and it is very fruitful.
The anointing of Jesus that is upon the elders who are uniquely anointed
to teach and lead thus equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry.
Ministry includes serving and ministering to one another inside the Church as
well as evangelizing the lost. When each of these categories understands its
role and appreciates and respects the other because of the anointing that is upon
each, the Church is dynamic and very fruitful besides pleasing to the Lord.
Somewhere along the line the carnal concept of “professional clergymen” has
arisen. Under this concept of ministry the clergy handles all aspects of
ministry. This paradigm of ministry is where the Church in many quadrants has
come to and this does not achieve the plan of God nor does it please Him. Our
goal must be to return the Church to is
original design.
The world looks
through our stained-glass windows and what they see is not really all that
beautiful, for the most part. And, if we were to be totally honest, we cannot
declare her to be powerful in the Spirit even though in some venues the Spirit
of God is moving in a measure. Her fruitfulness is questionable at best even
though efforts in evangelism and world missions have spread the Gospel. There
are some wonderful churches and for that I rejoice, but on the whole the Church
is not what she was intended to be nor does she produce the fruit God intends.
She is not yet the glorious Church.
Even though the Church has veered from God’s original design, she is not
without hope. The Church can be brought back into conformity to the will of God
and His plan. This transformation will take a unique breed of believers and
leaders under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; I call this new breed the Joshua
Generation. They will be
raised up to complete the work on earth of the Kingdom of God. You and I can
choose to be a part of the Joshua Generation! Rejoice that you are alive
right now and that you are privileged to be a part of this great thing called
the end-time Church. Indeed she is becoming the Glorious Church . Amen.
___________________________________________________________________________
RANDY
BARNETT MINISTRIES
Covenant Global Ministries
P.O. Box 8193 Edmond, Oklahoma 73083 405-204-4161
