Week 5 Reflection on A History of Christian Doctrine.
CHAPTER 10 THE DOCTRINE OF HUMANITY AND SALVATION. Running through this section I see: I Humanity’s fall because of adamic sin was being debated. 2. Different men met and councils held to ascertain the biblical facts about the concept. 3. Dissention and division, lynching and banishment as a result of this topic. 4. Different schools of thoughts prevailed and being overthrown intermittently. 5. The truth according to the scripture being established at last regarding the topic. Deducted from the above stated points, I understand that God is the God of truth and a strong “Defendant” of His curse and Kingdom. Foe whenever it seems as if error wants to prevail in history, He raises BRAINS to counter pose it. Also, I see that in spite of how men twist (or cover) the truth, truth is truth, and one day it shall speak aloud. Despite wrong theologies propounded and erroneously held by men at the end of the day, the Council of Nicea and Constantinople (381 and 556 AD) respectively came out to bury the errors. But my ultimate concern is that how the doctrinal could differences lead to lynching and banishing, and at times an open confrontation for the other party? It shocks me a lot! That means that, the book of Hebrews 12: 4 9 is very correct when it says “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin (error)”. It sometimes takes an “extra – mile” for something memorial and authentic to be left behind! I see responsible men letting go their lives, families, and even statues for the course of defending the truth. Lord how wonderful Thou art? Then thank God so much that in all of these the Bible, the Apostles’ Teachings, the Post – Apostolic Leader’s “Affirmatives” have been tested and proven and held in a relical form till date by the help of the Holy Spirit, so that we the “Posterity” can still see what to fall back to. Oh that men and women of our time will follow keep this pace and not just being engaged in the AFFAIRS blindly! CHAPTER 11 THE CHURCH AND ITS STRUCTURE. Few things are of a great interest to me in this Chapter: a. That the church of Jesus Christ had a structure and her operational principles. b. The church is established upon the foundation of the word of God, although there are some wrong conceptions of what the church is / is supposed to be. c. That the hierarchical system of Government in the church is well spelt out - Pastors, Evangelists, Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, (Eph. 4: 11), and Elders, Bishops, Deacons, etc (I Tim. 3: 1-11, Acts. 6: 1-6). d. That a clear explanation of who a bishop is has been lucidly explained. Originally and biblically, a bishop is a pastor (an overseer) of a local congregation, but as churches got constituted, it latter became what I like to call THE MAN IN CHARGE. That is an overseer of provincial cities or region. e. That there were 5 strong churches in existence ---- Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch, Alexandrian, and Constantinople. Jerusalem was the mother church, Antioch specialized in Missionary activities, Rome was the seat of Empire, while Alexandrian and Constantinople was great political, cultural and economical centers. f. That liturgies came into the couch when the when the spontaneous way of worshipping God ceased by the means of quenching and grieving the Spirit. g. That 5 solid things solidified the foundation of worship in the N.T. church, viz: Reading the Bible, Preaching or teaching the Word, Prayer, Offerings, and Eucharist (or Communion). h. That Church Growth is rapidly seen through the HOME CHURCHES (or House Fellowship). i. That repentance, Water baptism, Baptism of Holy Spirit, and a Holy Living were the criteria for being saved and prepared for Heaven. In summary, I leant that the Church is established by Christ, and has the duty to please and glorify God. Her officers had a respected and submissive leaders who were in turn became the salt of the earth (Matt. 5 : I3.). I therefore intend to apply this great truth discovered prayerfully and practically in my parish, God being on my side. Pastor Uwak, I. F. Director of Students' Affairs, Grace Bible Institute & Seminary 32, Barracks Road, GPO 798 Calabar,Nigeria, Phone:+2348038429447 Email:Pastoruwak@yahoo.co.uk
CHAPTER 10 THE DOCTRINE OF HUMANITY AND SALVATION. Running through this section I see: I Humanity’s fall because of adamic sin was being debated. 2. Different men met and councils held to ascertain the biblical facts about the concept. 3. Dissention and division, lynching and banishment as a result of this topic. 4. Different schools of thoughts prevailed and being overthrown intermittently. 5. The truth according to the scripture being established at last regarding the topic. Deducted from the above stated points, I understand that God is the God of truth and a strong “Defendant” of His curse and Kingdom. Foe whenever it seems as if error wants to prevail in history, He raises BRAINS to counter pose it. Also, I see that in spite of how men twist (or cover) the truth, truth is truth, and one day it shall speak aloud. Despite wrong theologies propounded and erroneously held by men at the end of the day, the Council of Nicea and Constantinople (381 and 556 AD) respectively came out to bury the errors. But my ultimate concern is that how the doctrinal could differences lead to lynching and banishing, and at times an open confrontation for the other party? It shocks me a lot! That means that, the book of Hebrews 12: 4 9 is very correct when it says “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin (error)”. It sometimes takes an “extra – mile” for something memorial and authentic to be left behind! I see responsible men letting go their lives, families, and even statues for the course of defending the truth. Lord how wonderful Thou art? Then thank God so much that in all of these the Bible, the Apostles’ Teachings, the Post – Apostolic Leader’s “Affirmatives” have been tested and proven and held in a relical form till date by the help of the Holy Spirit, so that we the “Posterity” can still see what to fall back to. Oh that men and women of our time will follow keep this pace and not just being engaged in the AFFAIRS blindly! CHAPTER 11 THE CHURCH AND ITS STRUCTURE. Few things are of a great interest to me in this Chapter: a. That the church of Jesus Christ had a structure and her operational principles. b. The church is established upon the foundation of the word of God, although there are some wrong conceptions of what the church is / is supposed to be. c. That the hierarchical system of Government in the church is well spelt out - Pastors, Evangelists, Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, (Eph. 4: 11), and Elders, Bishops, Deacons, etc (I Tim. 3: 1-11, Acts. 6: 1-6). d. That a clear explanation of who a bishop is has been lucidly explained. Originally and biblically, a bishop is a pastor (an overseer) of a local congregation, but as churches got constituted, it latter became what I like to call THE MAN IN CHARGE. That is an overseer of provincial cities or region. e. That there were 5 strong churches in existence ---- Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch, Alexandrian, and Constantinople. Jerusalem was the mother church, Antioch specialized in Missionary activities, Rome was the seat of Empire, while Alexandrian and Constantinople was great political, cultural and economical centers. f. That liturgies came into the couch when the when the spontaneous way of worshipping God ceased by the means of quenching and grieving the Spirit. g. That 5 solid things solidified the foundation of worship in the N.T. church, viz: Reading the Bible, Preaching or teaching the Word, Prayer, Offerings, and Eucharist (or Communion). h. That Church Growth is rapidly seen through the HOME CHURCHES (or House Fellowship). i. That repentance, Water baptism, Baptism of Holy Spirit, and a Holy Living were the criteria for being saved and prepared for Heaven. In summary, I leant that the Church is established by Christ, and has the duty to please and glorify God. Her officers had a respected and submissive leaders who were in turn became the salt of the earth (Matt. 5 : I3.). I therefore intend to apply this great truth discovered prayerfully and practically in my parish, God being on my side. Pastor Uwak, I. F. Director of Students' Affairs, Grace Bible Institute & Seminary 32, Barracks Road, GPO 798 Calabar,Nigeria, Phone:+2348038429447 Email:Pastoruwak@yahoo.co.uk