A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

A Compe l l i ng Tes t imony

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has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

c. The Spirit provides gifts to each member for the common good, 1 Cor. 12.5-7 – and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; [6] and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. [7] To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. d. The apostolic mission exhorted the body of saints, not merely individuals, Acts 11.23 – When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.

e. Groups were cared for spiritually together, Acts 14.22 – strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

f. Union and place with the body determined authenti city of profession, 1 John 2.19 – They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

2. Practical insight: a disciplined rule or way of life is far more powerful and beneficial if it is experienced together in community.

3. Supporting commentary:

The more we study the early Church the more we realize that it was a society of ministers. About the only similarity between the Church at Corinth and a contemporary