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November 2009 Newsletter

WHAT IS THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE?

A 'First Work' of the Church
The early church continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine  Acts 2:42. Jude exhorted the believers to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered for the saints  v.3. The five-fold ministry gift of Ephesians 4 is given to bring the church to the unity of the faith  v.13. In our January newsletter, '09, we shared on the apostles' doctrine. The primary source of apostles' doctrine is the four gospels. Luke especially defines the doctrine in Luke 1:1-4. Jesus commanded us in Revelation 2:5 repent and do the first works. The first works are the works of the first church as summarized in Acts 2:42. Giving ourselves to the apostles' doctrine is a primary work of the church.

A Knowledge of the Mysteries
As already said, the four gospels are the primary source of the apostles' doctrine. Jesus said teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you Matt 28:20. Jesus also said when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth  Jn.16:13. Jesus referred to the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven  (Matt.13:11) and taught of them in His parables but it was later that He made known to Paul much more of the mysteries. The apostles' doctrine includes and emphasizes an understanding of the mysteries. In this short teaching we will be referring to some aspects of the mystery as an essential part of the apostles' doctrine.  

WHAT IS THE MYSTERY?

The mystery is oneness in Christ : Jew and Gentile together

  That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel  Eph.3:6. It is only the gospel that can bring Jew and Gentile into oneness (Eph.2:14-18). Jesus is our peace and has made both one, creating one new man from the two. God wants 'one new man'; He sees only one new man! The wall of separation has been removed.

Paul illustrates this mystery further in Romans 11 speaking of an olive tree that represents God's people. There is only ever one true olive tree. The original tree grew out of God choosing the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The root is Messiah, Jesus. He says I am the Root and the Offspring of David  Rev.22:16. He says before Abraham was, I AM  Jn.8:58. Jesus also referred to Himself as the true vine  and the members of the church are the branches (Jn.15:1-8). The one new man, the body of Christ, the olive tree and the vine are all speaking of the New Covenant Israel of God  (Gal.6:16).

When Christ came in the flesh, only a remnant of Israel received and entered into righteousness in Christ (Rom.11:5-7). The rest were cut off as dead branches and the believing Gentiles were grafted into the original olive tree through faith (v17). However, Paul goes on to reveal to us that, because of the fathers, God is going to do a final great work of redemption among those of natural Israel who were blinded to the gospel because of their unbelief (v25-28). What will be the result? Jews and Gentiles happily growing together in righteousness in the one olive tree!

The mystery is the bride church 

In Ephesians 5:23-33, Paul explains the mystery of the bride church in terms of marriage and the relationship in marriage between husband and wife. In conclusion, He says This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church . In Revelation 21:9-11, John is shown in the Spirit the bride, the Lamb's wife . The church is both a bride in preparation for marriage and a wife for the Lamb. Jesus Himself is sanctifying and cleansing the church with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish  Eph.5:26-27. This church that Jesus is going to present to Himself will be glorious. In the natural, we generally perceive that a bride is going to be presented on her wedding day with every effort made for her to look beautiful and for everything to be done to make the wedding day as perfect as possible.

 

The church is to be fully joined to the Lord: he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him  1Cor.6:17. This is as a spiritual marriage, a full joining. We are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones  Eph.5:30. This is what Adam said when he first saw Eve and called her 'woman' (Gen.2:23).

The mystery is the grace of God

Paul said he became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power  Eph.3:7. The result of that grace was that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ  v.8. God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles  2 Tim.1:9-11. This grace was given before time began but is only manifested in our lives when we receive Christ Jesus.

The mystery of the grace of God is that Paul, of the circumcision, is appointed as a teacher to the Gentiles. Grace is the enabling power of God, enabling His will to be done. [Enabling a pharisee of the pharisees to become the apostle to Gentiles]

The fellowship of the mystery

Paul says he was given grace to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ  Eph.3:9. There is a fellowship of the mystery that God wants us to see and experience. The word for fellowship is koinonia and, in the context of the fellowship of the mystery, it is referring to a deep relationship with God and between brethren who have come into maturity. Paul tells us that the deeper wisdom of God, the mystery, is for the mature (1Cor.2:6-7).

I understand that this level of maturity is of grace whereby the Spirit of God places us as sons in Christ, in a relationship with the Father as sons and in a relationship with one another that is deeper than anything we have experienced before. Maturity refers to that walk with God in Christ that we call sonship, but you receive the Spirit of sonship  (Rom.8:15 NIV). We testify that the fellowship we enjoy as sons together is rich and deep and is bringing us into an experience of being joined together in the body, walking in a much fuller and deeper revelation of the body of Christ.

 

Another part of the revelation of the mystery is that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might bring together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in Him  Eph.1:10. This is referring to the coming together of the saints who are in heaven with Jesus and who are coming back with Him, and the saints who are the sanctified ones in the earth, ready for the Lord's coming (1Thess.4:13-17). What a fellowship that will be!

Displacement of principalities and powers

Paul says that the result of the church coming to know the fellowship of the mystery is To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly place  Eph.3:10. When the church comes into the fellowship of the mystery [the deeper wisdom], then the manifold wisdom of God will be revealed. This verse suggests that the church has been designed by God so that when it comes into this apostolic and prophetic revelation, walking in sonship, ruling and reigning in Christ, the saints will speak and preach with such power that the principalities and powers will be disempowered and the gospel will begin to fill the atmosphere.

 

The Church is the fullness of Christ

The revelation of the mystery, of 'who Christ is', reveals that when Christ rose from the dead He was raised up by the power of God and seated at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all  Eph.1:20-23. This means that God has made the church, which is His body, the head over all things in Christ. This is the revelation that all things, even thrones and dominions in the invisible realms, were created by God through Jesus Christ (Col.1:16). Such rulers are coming to nothing  (1Cor.2:6) because of the revelation of the mystery, the teaching of the deeper wisdom.

 

The power of the church, walking in a mature revelation of the mystery and, thus displacing principalities and powers, is illustrated in Acts 8 when Phillip went to Samaria and began to preach in that city. He preached the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus and mighty signs and wonders were happening to confirm the preaching. Men and women believed the gospel and were baptised. Through Phillip's preaching, the manifold wisdom of God was made known to the principalities and powers in the city of Samaria so that even the chief strongman of the city, Simon the sorcerer, wanted to become obedient to the gospel and be baptised.

The mystery of the church 'going on to perfection'

The church is called to go on to perfection  (Heb.6:1). It is only when the church is walking in maturity, going on to perfection that the glory of the Lord will be seen in the church.

Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you  Isa. 60:1. God is saying to His people to arise and shine because the glory of the LORD is come. This is present tense! The Light, Jesus, has come, and today the glory of the LORD is rising upon His people. The whole earth is full of His glory,  the seraphim said in Isaiah 6:3. This glory will be revealed [made known] as the church becomes the true sanctuary of the LORD's presence in the earth.

 

The church arises in the darkness

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you  Isa.60:2. This is what we are experiencing in the world now; it is increasing. The beast is arising. The darkness is spreading all over the world through the aggressive spreading of false religions, but the church is to arise in Him, in His glory.

 

The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you. The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you  Isa.60:3-5. This is the revelation of the mystery that, in these last days, Gentiles are coming to the Lord in increasing numbers. This is happening because the time of the Gentiles is almost fulfilled.

 

All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to you. The rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; they shall ascend with acceptance on My altar, and I will glorify the house of My glory  Isa.60:7. Kedar and Nebaioth were the first born sons of Ishmael. Prophetically, it is possible to believe that many Muslims will be saved in the last days. Leaders and their congregations will be saved and come into God's kingdom. 'They will ascend with acceptance on My altar'; this altar is Jesus. Many Muslims are going to come, and already are coming, to Jesus and He will accept them. We have met a number of pastors on our recent trip in Africa who were born into Muslim families.

 

The Spirit anoints apostles and prophets

In Ephesians 3:5, Paul tells us that apostles and prophets have received a special revelation of the mystery. It is the responsibility of apostles and prophets to make known to the church the revelation of the mystery. Without this knowledge the church cannot come to maturity. God has declared For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD [Yahweh] as the waters cover the sea  Hab.2:14. It is time for the remnant church to arise but this cannot happen without the revelation and teaching of the deeper wisdom of God that He ordained before the ages for our glory  1Cor.2:7.

Paul Galligan

 CALENDAR

 

November: Fri 6^th - 7.30pm worship & preaching

                  Sat. 7^th - Training day at SHILOH: sessions: 10.30-12.30; 1.30- 4pm

                  Sun.8^th  COMMUNITY SUNDAY at SHILOH : 9.30am Teaching

                                  10.30am Worship/Communion/Preaching

                                                     followed by fellowship lunch         

 

INDIA TRIP: November 1^st - 22^nd : Ps. Rob Cochrane and Paul Disher from Tamworth are ministering in nightly crusades and daytime pastors and leaders meetings in Andhra Pradesh.800 pastors attended a daytime session and 200 were turned away.  Paul's ministry is known as WakeUp. We urge you to keep them in your prayers.

 

December: Fri 4^th : 7.30pm worship & preaching

                  Sat. 5^th :Training day at SHILOH: sessions :10.30-12.30; 1.30 -4pm

                  Sun.6^th  COMMUNITY SUNDAY at SHILOH :9.30am Teaching

                                  10.30am Worship/Communion/Preaching

                                                     followed by fellowship lunch

 

Dec. Sunday 13^th : community meeting at SHILOH 9.30am. Local house churches coming together as many of the brethren will be away at a wedding in Tamworth.

 

2010 JANUARY APOSTOLIC TRAINING SCHOOL

Tuesday 5^th Jan. to Fri. 22^nd Jan.

Please note change of starting date to make it easier for people to get here after New Year

 

 The training school is intensive training in understanding apostolic ministry, the restoration of church, the manifestation of the kingdom and walking in the inheritance of God as sons.

 

The School is free [no fees] and is open to all committed Christians. You are welcome to attend all of the school or any part of it. International students are by invitation only.

(International Students please note: we prefer to meet you in your home nation or in a nation nearby. This is much more economical. If you are interested in training in apostolic ministry please contact us as we have related brethren in many nations already conducting apostolic training)

 

JUNIOR TRAINING SCHOOL for 1 Week

Ages 4-13 (if you are over 13, apply to come as a helper)

Monday 11^th to Friday 15^th

9am to 4pm 

 

 

PROPOSED TRIPS 2010

February :  India

Feb/Mar. :Philippines

Feb/Mar :Colombia & other South American nations

May :Africa: West & East

REPORT FROM NAIROBI, KENYA : Apostle Meshack Mbugwa

Today was our gathering at the apostolic house for prayer and direction, a number of our brothers came to this meeting; the presence of the Lord was awesome as l took time sharing from the October newsletter, about the Kingdom and the church. I realize many of our brothers do not access internet to read the letter. We were blessed with the unfolding teaching of the kingdom. One of our burden is how to actualize the kingdom life and bring the church to mature walk where the mature sons will manifest the righteousness of God in the earth.

 

Reports:  Apostolic class in Kangemi [outer suburb of Nairobi] for third year has come to a close, 1^st and 2^nd year still in progress, graduation for the third year program will be on the 19^th November 09, this will be precede with a three day seminar teaching from the new manual.

Kayole seminar will be on 24^th and 25^th November 09 I Meshack and my wife will be ministering there.

Eldoret [West Kenya] seminar hosted by Pastor David Opiyo will be from 24^th November 09, Dorcas, Ben, and Peter will be ministering. We are trusting God for funds towards this mission.

Brother Joseph Okuku informed the meeting that there was progress in Kasarani [outer suburb of Nairobi], the class meets twice a week and Theresa teaches, although at the moment they are setting up a temporal structure where they can meet since they were evicted from the hall they used to meet in.

The meeting was also informed that Brother Muteti's daughter will be married on 28^th November 09, Dorcas and team will proceed from Eldoret to Kipkaren to represent the Nairobi apostolic family in the wedding. While I Meshack will go to Magadi the same day to stand with Pastor Enock as he officially marries his wife [many marriages in Kenya are not official, we would call them de-facto marriages but in Kenya they are not 'de-facto''; they simply lack the official seal].

 

The 1^st year class meeting at the Apostolic house will come to a close in two weeks time. The next class is set for January 2010; the intake is in progress.

Other Events include a prayer gathering from 17^th to 19^th November 09 at the apostolic house this will be followed by another prayer week in December; top of the Agenda is to stand against the entrenchment of the Kadhi's (Sharia) court in our new Constitution and strategizing on how to bring church leaders in Nairobi for an apostolic empowerment gathering once every month in the city centre. Pray with us.

The Bungoma mission is still on as from 5^th to 6^th December 09. l, Meshack, will lead a team to this mission, and we also trust the Lord for the funding of this mission trip.

 

Good news: The brethren have now agreed to contribute monthly into a Mission kitty. This will include tithe of tithe and other free will offerings as the lord will bless them. I am therefore appealing to all who would love to put some funds into this basket to do so. This offering will go a long way into printing of manuals and support mission trips.

Finally I already told you l have been in contact with bother Daniel Wekesa regarding the Nairobi gathering 2010 April, with apostle Dan Hubbell from Texas USA. He is in a agreement we host the team at the house; he has promised to meet me early December for further discussion.