Str8way Ministries Int.

10/22/2026

Part 6A

𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐄!

A Dangerous Deception That Has Convinced Millions That Obedience to the Gospel Is Unnecessary

The teaching being repeated throughout Christianity today that sounds wonderful, comforting, and convincing.

It goes something like this:

The moment someone believes is one of the doctrines and another is once someone repents and believes, they have eternal life. Salvation is instantaneous. Salvation is attained by faith in Christ alone and maintained by faith in Christ alone.

People defend this statement as though Jesus Himself spoke those exact words.

But where does Scripture actually teach that believing alone completes the new birth, that baptism is unnecessary for the remission of sins, or that receiving the Holy Ghost is not necessary to belong to Christ?
You will not find that in scripture!

This is where we MUST separate what Scripture ACTUALLY says from what denominational doctrine has taught people to accept.

Let me make something very clear. Salvation is absolutely by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Nobody can earn salvation. Nobody can purchase it. Nobody can save themselves through their own goodness or religious accomplishments.

Ephesians 2:8–9 establishes that truth.

But salvation by grace through faith does not mean salvation without obedience to the gospel.

Faith that obeys Jesus Christ is not a different kind of salvation from salvation by grace.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒:

𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘

James 2:24 says, Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲.

Read that again.

NOT BY FAITH ONLY.

Those are the words of Scripture.

Yet your denominational doctrine continues teaching people that faith alone is all that is necessary, even when that teaching is used to dismiss the very things Jesus and His apostles commanded.

James 2:17 says, Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James was not teaching that a person can purchase salvation through good deeds. He was explaining that genuine faith cannot be separated from its response to God.

There is an enormous difference between trying to earn salvation through human works and obeying Jesus Christ because we believe Him.

𝐉𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐘 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘

John 3:5 says, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus established the necessity of the new birth.

He did not describe being born of water and Spirit as an optional experience for those who wanted something beyond salvation.

Mark 16:16 says, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Notice what Jesus connected together.

Believing and baptism.

People may debate how the baptism passages should be understood, but they cannot honestly claim that Jesus never connected baptism with salvation.

𝐍𝐄𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘.

Let me say that again

𝐍𝐄𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘.

Let me say that again

𝐍𝐄𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘.

𝐍𝐎 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘.

In Acts 2:37, the people were convicted in their hearts and asked what they needed to 𝐃𝐎.

Peter did not tell them that their conviction or acknowledgment of Jesus meant everything was already completed because they believed! NO NO NO he do not tell them that as your denominational doctrine tells you!

Acts 2:38 Peter says, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Why did Peter command baptism for the remission of sins if the remission of sins had already been received through believing alone? WHY and you have to answer that!

If sins were remitted at belief Peter would have SAID THAT!
But he did NOT!

Peter said remission happens at baptism!

Then when Paul believed what did Ananias tell him?

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬, calling on the name of the Lord.

Why did he promise the gift of the Holy Ghost if receiving the Spirit had no necessary connection to the salvation being preached?
Or if it automatically happened at belief?

You have to answer that question!

These are questions that deserve biblical answers, NOT denominational explanations that dismiss the commandments.

𝐒𝐀𝐔𝐋 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐒

Saul encountered the risen Jesus Christ on the Damascus road. He acknowledged Him as Lord. He obeyed His instructions. He prayed and fasted.

Yet Ananias came to him and said in Acts 22:16, And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Consider that carefully.

If believing alone had already completed everything concerning Saul’s initial salvation, why was he subsequently commanded to arise, be baptized, and wash away his sins?

You cannot simply erase those words because they do not agree with a denomination’s explanation of salvation.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐘 𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓

Acts 8:12 records that the Samaritans believed Philip’s preaching and were baptized.

But Acts 8:15–16 explains that Peter and John later came and prayed for them to receive the Holy Ghost because He had not yet fallen upon them.

Now compare this with Romans 8:9.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

How can someone insist that believing alone automatically means the entire new birth has already taken place when Scripture records believers who had not yet received the Holy Ghost?

The Samaritans demonstrate why we must not confuse believing the gospel with having received everything the gospel promises.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄?

That statement also needs to be PROVED.

Jesus said in John 15:6, If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered.

Hebrews 5:9 says that Jesus became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Colossians 1:23 says, If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.

James 2:26 says, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

The Bible does teach continuing in faith. But it does not describe saving faith as a profession that can remain disconnected from obedience.

Faithfulness, abiding in Christ, enduring, and obeying His commandments are not enemies of grace.

They belong to the life of someone who genuinely follows Jesus Christ.

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐎 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒.

The danger is not in teaching people to believe in Jesus Christ.

Everyone must believe in Jesus Christ.

The danger comes when people are told that believing means they have already received everything Scripture connects with the new birth, and therefore the remaining commandments are unnecessary.

It is dangerous when repentance is reduced to a mental decision, baptism is reduced to a public declaration, receiving the Holy Ghost is treated as optional, and obedience is dismissed as an attempt to earn salvation.

That is not the gospel Peter preached on Pentecost.

That is not what Ananias told Saul.

That is not how Jesus described entering the kingdom of God.

That is not what James meant when he said we are not justified by faith only.

A teaching that convinces people they do not need to obey what Jesus commanded is a 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍, regardless of how comforting or popular that teaching becomes and 98% of denominations teach this LIE!

Jesus warned in Matthew 15:9, But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Paul warned in Galatians 1:8 against preaching another gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:3 warns about minds being corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

The enemy does not need to convince someone to stop talking about Jesus if he can convince them that Jesus’ commandments concerning salvation are unnecessary and that is EXACTLY what he has done and man has taken it and ran with it!

That is why this teaching is so serious.

𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇

We are saved by God’s grace, not our own goodness.

We must believe in Jesus Christ and what He did.

We must repent.

We must allow that belief produce faith in God and allow that faith in God become obedience to the Gospel!
And

We must be born of water and Spirit.

We must obey the gospel.

We must continue in the faith.

These truths do not contradict one another. They belong together.

FAITH ONLY, when defined as believing without the necessity of obeying the gospel Jesus and His apostles preached, IS A LIE.

Let me say that again

FAITH ONLY, when defined as believing without the necessity of obeying the gospel Jesus and His apostles preached, IS A LIE.

It is not faith itself that is the lie. It is the teaching that faith makes obedience to God’s revealed requirements unnecessary or secondary!

The greatest danger of that deception is that people become so confident in what they have been told about salvation by denominational Pastors and Preachers that they stop examining what Scripture actually says and believe the denominational LIE.

The question is not whether denominational doctrine makes someone feel saved. You can experience all kinds of emotions, tingles, joys and be asl lost as before you believed.

Your experienced and feelings do not determine your salvation.

I am thankful God uses our feeling and emotions during our experiences but out feelings are not the sign of salvation.

Acts 2:38 still says what it says.

John 3:5 still says what it says.

Acts 22:16 still says what it says.

Hebrews 5:9 still says what it says.

James 2:24 still says NOT BY FAITH ONLY.

Never allow a denominational explanation to overrule the written Word of God.

𝗕𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂!

© Apostolic Doctrine Today

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲:
𝐁𝐲 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞

10/19/2026

Good Intentions Leave Gaps.

Sitting with someone in prayer brings genuine comfort, but it leaves the wind blowing right through a cracked window pane. Comforting words alone do not patch rotten subflooring or calm an overwhelmed spirit carrying silent grief.

Real ministry steps into the middle of both needs. Through our partnerships with Born Again Construction and Yahweh's Yorkies, Str8way Ministries Int. pairs confidential pastoral counseling with practical carpentry repairs and emotional support animals across Augusta, Evans, and Aiken. Families rebuild their living spaces while finding a steady, trustworthy place to share what hurts.

When a neighbor is going through a rough patch, what is one practical way your community likes to step up? Let us hear your thoughts below.

10/19/2026

Kingdom kids doing exams .

10/15/2026

Kingdom kids.
God bless you .
Congratulations as I see future in your eyes .
If you lead to help or give tithes go to the website of the ministries will direct you how you can donate or give .
Needs are great no food and other necessities.

10/15/2026

Most families looking for a puppy fall in love with a sweet face and forget to ask about the parents' health records.

A responsible breeder always runs genetic panels and parent health checks long before any puppies are born. Taking a few minutes to ask for clear health documentation protects your family from preventable heartache down the road, ensuring your companion starts life on solid, healthy ground.

If you have welcomed a dog into your home, what was the most helpful question you asked the breeder? Share your experience in the comments.

Learn how ethical yorkie breeders use genetic screening and testing across the breeding process so you can secure a healthy puppy with complete confidence.

10/14/2026

🔥 SUNDAY SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS | A GLORIOUS TIME IN GOD’S PRESENCE! 🙌✨

What a powerful and spirit-filled Sunday! We gathered as one family to worship, praise, pray, and receive the life-transforming Word of God. ❤️‍🔥🙏

From heartfelt worship to powerful moments in the Word, the presence of God was evident, faith was strengthened, and hearts were encouraged. Truly, there is nothing like being in the presence of the Lord!

📖 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” — Matthew 18:20 (KJV)

We are grateful to God for every life touched, every prayer lifted, and every testimony birthed in His presence. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this service memorable!

🎥 Relive the moments. Share the blessings. Spread the Word!

❤️ Like | 💬 Comment | 🔁 Share

May the blessings of this service remain with you throughout the week. Stay blessed, stay rooted in Christ, and keep the fire of faith burning!

SEE YOU NEXT SUNDAY! 🔥🙌

10/12/2026

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐄

Why do we have to even have a lesson on this?

Because we have 45,000 Christian denominations teachings 100s of different doctrines that are not biblical.!

𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐍 𝟐 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑:𝟏𝟔

2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

There is a warning in Scripture that every person who teaches, preaches, studies, or follows Christian doctrine needs to take seriously. It is a warning about what happens when people misunderstand the Word of God, distort its meaning, and build teachings upon conclusions that the Scriptures themselves do not support.

That warning comes from the apostle Peter, and remarkably, he gives it while discussing the writings of the apostle Paul.

Peter acknowledges that some of Paul’s writings are difficult to understand. However, he does not say that Paul was wrong, that his writings contradicted Jesus, or that his teachings were different from those of the other apostles.

Instead, Peter identifies a serious problem. People who were unlearned and unstable were twisting Paul’s writings, just as they were twisting the other Scriptures.

And Peter tells us the consequences of doing so.

They were doing it unto their own destruction.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐖𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒?

The word wrest in 2 Peter 3:16 comes from the Greek word streblóō, which carries the meaning of twisting or distorting.

Peter is describing people who take the writings of Scripture and turn them away from their intended meaning.

This can happen when someone isolates a verse from its surrounding context, ignores the audience being addressed, overlooks the circumstances under which something was written, or interprets one passage in a way that contradicts other passages.

It also happens when a person approaches the Bible with a doctrine already established in their mind and then searches for Scriptures that can be made to support it.

Instead of allowing the Word of God to determine what they believe, they allow what they already believe to determine what the Word of God means.

The danger is that a teaching can contain Scripture and still misrepresent what Scripture teaches.

Quoting a Bible verse does not automatically make a doctrine biblical.

The question is whether that verse is being understood and applied according to what the author actually communicated.

𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐀𝐔𝐋’𝐒 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

This is particularly important because so much of modern Christian doctrine is established by appealing to selected verses from Paul’s epistles.

Paul wrote extensively about grace, faith, righteousness, justification, works, the law, and salvation.

These subjects are essential to understanding the gospel. However, they must be understood in harmony with everything else God revealed through Jesus Christ and His apostles.

Consider Ephesians 2:8–9, where Paul teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not of ourselves, and not of works, lest any man should boast.

Those words are true.

But does Paul teach that obedience to Jesus Christ is unnecessary?

Does he teach that repentance can be ignored?

Does he teach that baptism has no place in the gospel?

Does he teach that a person can disregard the commandments of Jesus and still claim salvation?

Absolutely not.

In the very next verse, Ephesians 2:10, Paul writes that we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Paul was not teaching that obedience is unnecessary. He was teaching that salvation originates in God’s grace and is not something human beings can earn through their own accomplishments.

There is a difference between attempting to earn salvation through human merit and obeying the instructions of the One who provides salvation.

𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐄𝐒

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Jesus Christ is the author of eternal salvation.

Not a denomination. Not a preacher. Not a religious institution. Not the individual seeking salvation.

Jesus Christ alone is the source of eternal salvation.

But notice what the Scripture says about those to whom He is the author of eternal salvation.

Unto all them that obey Him.

If someone takes Paul’s teaching about grace and uses it to declare that obedience to Christ is unnecessary, they have created a contradiction that does not exist in the Scriptures themselves.

Paul also wrote in Romans 6:17 that believers had obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to them.

In Romans 1:5, Paul speaks of obedience to the faith, and in Romans 16:26, he again connects the gospel with the obedience of faith.

Paul never presented genuine faith as permission to reject the commandments of Jesus Christ.

In fact, Romans 6:1–2 directly rejects the idea that grace permits someone to continue in sin.

The problem is not with Paul.

The problem begins when Paul’s writings are separated from their context and made to teach something contrary to the rest of Scripture.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑?

Jesus said in Mark 16:16, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Jesus said in John 3:5, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Peter preached in Acts 2:38, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Ananias told Saul in Acts 22:16, Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:21, The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.

These passages cannot be dismissed because someone has developed an interpretation of Paul’s writings that excludes water baptism from salvation.

Nor should Paul’s writings be dismissed to support an interpretation of these passages.

The responsibility of the student of Scripture is to examine all of them carefully, recognizing their context, purpose, and relationship to the gospel.

A sound doctrine must account for the whole counsel of God.

If an interpretation of Ephesians 2:8–9 requires someone to explain away Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, or John 3:5, that interpretation needs to be examined.

God’s Word does not need to be protected from God’s Word.

Truth does not contradict truth.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

One of the greatest dangers in studying Scripture is allowing an established religious system to determine what a passage is permitted to mean.

A person may be taught a particular explanation of salvation from childhood. That explanation may be repeated by parents, pastors, teachers, denominational leaders, and generations of church members.

Eventually, the explanation becomes so familiar that questioning it feels like questioning Scripture itself.

But familiarity does not establish biblical truth.

Tradition does not establish biblical truth.

The number of people who accept a doctrine does not establish biblical truth.

Jesus addressed this problem in Mark 7:7–8, warning about teaching for doctrines the commandments of men while laying aside the commandment of God.

He continued in Mark 7:13 by describing how human tradition could make the Word of God of none effect.

The same danger exists whenever an inherited theological interpretation is given greater authority than the text of Scripture.

A person must be willing to examine whether what they have been taught is actually what Jesus and His apostles taught.

That examination requires humility because it may expose errors in beliefs a person has held for decades.

𝐁𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐒 𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

When Peter refers to the unlearned and unstable, he is not declaring that a person must have a seminary degree, theological certification, or religious title to understand the Scriptures.

The apostles themselves were recognized as unlearned and ignorant men by the religious authorities in Acts 4:13, yet those authorities also recognized that they had been with Jesus.

The issue is not whether someone possesses academic credentials.

The issue is whether that person understands what they are teaching and remains steadfast in the truth.

A person can possess several theological degrees and still mishandle Scripture.

Another person can have little formal education and yet carefully study the Word of God, understand the gospel, and faithfully teach what Jesus and His apostles taught.

Paul instructed Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 to study to shew himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The responsibility to study and handle Scripture correctly cannot be transferred entirely to someone behind a pulpit.

Every believer has a responsibility to examine the Word of God.

𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑’𝐒 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝟏𝟔

Consider what Peter says immediately afterward.

2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

Peter is addressing believers.

He is warning them about the possibility of being led away by error.

He tells them to beware.

Why?

Because false teaching is not harmless.

An incorrect understanding of Scripture can influence what a person believes, how they respond to the gospel, what they practice, and what they teach others.

When doctrine concerns repentance, salvation, baptism, the Holy Ghost, obedience, and entering the Kingdom of God, the consequences of error are especially serious.

Peter does not describe this as merely an intellectual disagreement.

He warns about destruction and falling from steadfastness.

Then, in 2 Peter 3:18, he gives the proper response.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The answer to distorted Scripture is not to abandon Scripture.

The answer is to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ through a faithful understanding of His Word.

𝐀 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐃𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐄

Before we accuse someone else of twisting Scripture, we should examine our own understanding.

Have we accepted a teaching simply because a respected minister taught it?

Have we repeated an explanation without personally examining the passage?

Have we built an entire doctrine around one or two verses while ignoring other Scriptures that address the same subject?

Have we allowed a denomination to establish conclusions that we are unwilling to question?

Are we willing to acknowledge that something we have taught may be incorrect when Scripture demonstrates otherwise?

These are questions every teacher and student of God’s Word should be willing to answer.

Acts 17:11 commends those who received the Word with readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to determine whether the things being taught were so.

Notice that they examined the teaching against Scripture.

They did not simply accept it because of the person delivering the message.

Neither should we.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆

Peter’s warning in 2 Peter 3:16 should cause every Christian to take the interpretation of Scripture seriously.

We cannot afford to build our understanding of salvation upon isolated passages, inherited traditions, denominational statements, or interpretations that require us to dismiss the words of Jesus and His apostles.

Paul did not preach a different gospel from Peter.

Peter did not preach a different gospel from Jesus.

The apostles were not competing authorities offering different ways to enter the Kingdom of God.

They were servants of the same Lord, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:8 warns against preaching another gospel, even if the messenger were an angel from heaven.

Jude 3 calls believers to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

And 2 John 9 warns that whoever does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.

These warnings demand something more from us than religious agreement or denominational loyalty.

They demand that we examine what we have been taught and compare it with what is actually written.

We must never twist Scripture to preserve a doctrine.

We must be willing to correct a doctrine to remain faithful to Scripture.

The most dangerous false teaching is not necessarily one that rejects the Bible. It may be one that repeatedly quotes the Bible while changing what the Bible actually teaches.

Peter’s warning remains just as serious today as when he first wrote it.

Those who wrest the Scriptures do so unto their own destruction.

And those who desire to remain steadfast must continue growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Our responsibility is not to defend a denomination, a tradition, or an interpretation merely because we have believed it for years.

Our responsibility is to know the truth, obey the truth, teach the truth, and remain faithful to the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

Please examine what you know and seek truth above ALL!

𝗕𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂!

© Apostolic Doctrine Today

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲:
𝐁𝐲 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞.

10/12/2026

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐏 𝐈𝐓

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐘. 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐁𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊.

Over the last several days, we have examined the biblical responsibilities of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. We have discussed why Christ gave these gifts to His Church and how their responsibilities have often been misunderstood through centuries of religious traditions and denominational teachings.

But now we need to examine the other side of this relationship.

What are the responsibilities of the members of the Body toward those Christ has given to equip them? How should they respond to them, interact with them, learn from them, and work alongside them?

To understand this, we must first remove the modern church structure from our thinking and return to what Scripture actually teaches.

The Body of Christ is not an audience that gathers to watch a handful of individuals perform ministry. Its members are not customers receiving religious services. And those who equip the Body are not a separate, superior class of Christians whose responsibility is to do all the spiritual work while everyone else sits and watches.

The Body is called to do the work of ministry. Those Christ gives are responsible for equipping the Body to do that work.

Ephesians 4:11–12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Notice that Christ did not give these individuals so the members of His Body could remain spectators. He gave them so the Body could be prepared, matured, and equipped to carry out the work of ministry.

And that means those being equipped have responsibilities toward those who are equipping them.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐃

The first responsibility of every member of the Body is to actually participate in being equipped.

Being equipped requires more than hearing someone teach. It involves learning, understanding, asking questions, examining Scripture, receiving correction, growing in maturity, and putting what has been learned into practice.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The Bereans did not simply accept Paul’s words because he was an apostle. They listened with readiness and examined the Scriptures to determine whether what he taught was true.

This is the kind of relationship that should exist between those who equip and those being equipped.

The person teaching is responsible for faithfully explaining the Word. The person being taught is responsible for examining, understanding, and applying that Word.

Being equipped is not passive listening. It is active spiritual development.

The purpose is not to make believers dependent upon a particular teacher but to establish them in the truth so they can function as mature members of Christ’s Body.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐘

The members of the Body are not being equipped merely to become better listeners or more knowledgeable students.

They are being equipped to serve.

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Notice that the Spirit works through members of the Body for the benefit of others.

1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Every member has a place, and every member has a responsibility.

Some encourage. Some teach. Some help. Some show mercy. Some give. Some serve. Some exhort. Some are used in spiritual gifts. Some minister in ways that may never receive public attention.

But all are members of one Body.

Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.

Paul continues by describing teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and showing mercy.

These are not activities reserved for a religious service.

They are expressions of the life of Christ working through His people wherever they are.

Every member of the Body is responsible for discovering, developing, and exercising what God has given them for the benefit of others.

That is why they are being equipped.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌

The biblical relationship between those being equipped and those equipping them is not one of religious celebrities and their followers.

It is a relationship between members of the same Body who have different responsibilities.

1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Those doing the equipping are not separate from the Body. They are members of that same Body.

They also need encouragement, prayer, fellowship, correction, support, and the ministry of other believers.

Paul, an apostle, repeatedly asked members of the Body to pray for him.

Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

Think about that.

An apostle asked fellow believers to pray for him so he could faithfully carry out his responsibility.

He did not act as though ministry moved in only one direction, from himself to everyone else.

The Body ministered to Paul, just as Paul ministered to the Body.

Those equipping the Body also need the ministry of the Body.

This is mutual participation, not a one way religious arrangement.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍

Scripture teaches the members of the Body to appreciate those who labor among them.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Notice the language.

Know them. Esteem them in love. Recognize their labor.

And notice why.

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊’𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐊𝐄.

The members of the Body should appreciate someone who devotes time to teaching the Word, helping them mature, correcting error, and preparing them to minister.

But honoring their work does not require elevating them above the rest of the Body.

Jesus said in Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Whatever responsibility God has given someone, that individual remains a brother or sister in Christ.

The Body should respect the work without creating a religious hierarchy that Christ never established.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐎 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐈𝐓

One responsibility of those equipping the Body is to correct misunderstanding and help believers grow in sound doctrine.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

If the members of the Body are going to mature, they must be willing to receive biblical correction.

But correction must be grounded in the Word of God, not personal opinions, denominational traditions, or demands for unquestioning loyalty.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Notice that Paul did not tell believers to stop examining what they heard once someone claimed to have a calling.

The responsibility to test what is taught remains with the Body.

And those doing the equipping must also remain teachable and accountable to Scripture.

No apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher has authority to replace the Word of God with personal authority.

The purpose of correction is restoration, understanding, and maturity, not control.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐎 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑

One of the clearest descriptions of the responsibility of the Body is found in Galatians.

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Notice that Paul did not say to bring every burden to the pastor.

He instructed the members of the Body to bear one another’s burdens.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.

These instructions are given to the Body.

Every member has a responsibility to encourage one another, teach one another, carry one another’s burdens, pray for one another, and help one another grow.

Those who equip the Body are helping believers become capable of doing these very things.

The work of ministry belongs to the Body, not exclusively to those who equip it.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐘

A healthy Body functions because its members are working together.

1 Corinthians 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

No member is unnecessary.

And no member can fulfill the responsibilities of the entire Body alone.

The apostle cannot say he has no need of the other members. The pastor cannot say the Body exists to support his personal ministry. The teacher cannot say that everyone else should simply listen while he performs the work.

Neither can those being equipped say they have no need of those Christ has given to equip them.

Both are necessary to the functioning of the Body.

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Pay close attention to those words.

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐇.

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐘 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐓𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄.

The growth and health of the Church are not dependent upon one gifted person doing everything.

Christ supplies what His Body needs through the working of its members.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖 𝐁𝐄𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

The writer rebuked believers who should have grown beyond needing elementary instruction.

They had been taught long enough that they should have been able to help others understand the Word.

Yet they had not matured as they should have.

This is precisely what can happen when believers are conditioned to think of themselves as lifelong listeners instead of active members of Christ’s Body.

They become accustomed to someone else studying, someone else teaching, someone else praying, someone else witnessing, and someone else doing the work.

But this is not the purpose of equipping.

Those being equipped should be growing into believers who can themselves strengthen and minister to others.

That does not mean everyone has the same calling or gifting.

It means everyone should be growing in the ability to fulfill the responsibilities Christ has given them.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐘

Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

The word translated communicate speaks of sharing.

Those who receive instruction should willingly share good things with those who teach them.

This may involve material support, but the larger New Testament teaching concerning the Body also includes hospitality, practical assistance, encouragement, and meeting one another’s needs.

Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

The Body is responsible for caring for its members, including those who devote themselves to equipping others.

But this responsibility should never be twisted into a system where the members exist to finance a religious organization or enrich a minister.

The early Church demonstrated care through sharing, generosity, and meeting genuine needs.

The purpose of giving is to serve the Body and advance the work of Christ, not to create religious privilege.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

Notice the goal of those equipping the Body.

It is not unity around a pastor.

It is not unity around a denomination.

It is not unity around an institution.

It is unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.

Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

The responsibility of every member is to pursue truth, speak truth in love, and grow together under Christ.

Disagreements should lead to searching the Scriptures, seeking understanding, and helping one another mature.

Those equipping the Body should encourage that growth rather than demand agreement based upon their personal position.

Christ is the Head. The Body belongs to Him. And every member is accountable to Him.

𝐒𝐎 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌?

They should treat them as fellow members of the Body who have been given important responsibilities by Christ.

They should receive sound teaching, ask questions, examine Scripture, welcome biblical correction, appreciate faithful labor, pray for them, encourage them, and share in their needs.

They should also recognize that those who equip them are not beyond correction and that every teaching must remain subject to Scripture.

Most importantly, they should respond to the equipping by actually doing the work of ministry.

If a teacher faithfully explains the Word, those being equipped should grow in understanding and begin helping others understand it.

If an evangelist equips believers to share the gospel, those being equipped should take that gospel into their daily lives and share it.

If a pastor helps believers mature and care for one another, those being equipped should begin caring for and strengthening one another.

If a prophet brings a message that is tested and found consistent with the Word, the Body should respond appropriately to what God has made known.

If an apostle establishes and strengthens believers in the doctrine of Christ, those being equipped should become grounded in that doctrine and able to help strengthen others.

The goal is not to produce followers dependent upon an individual.

The goal is to equip mature followers of Jesus Christ who actively minister as members of His Body.

𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒.

We need to stop looking at the Church through the structure of the modern religious institution and begin looking at it through the Scriptures.

The members of the Body were never intended to be an audience whose primary responsibility was attending services, listening to sermons, giving money, and supporting the ministry of a few individuals.

They are the Body of Christ.

They are the ones Christ is equipping for the work of ministry.

And those given as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are part of that same Body, serving Christ by helping His people grow into spiritual maturity.

One member equips. Another learns and grows. Then that member ministers to another. The entire Body participates, supplies, serves, and builds itself up in love.

And those doing the equipping also receive ministry, encouragement, correction, prayer, and support from the very Body they serve.

That is a living relationship, not a religious business arrangement.

The question is not simply whether the members of the Body are attending, listening, or supporting someone else’s ministry.

The question is whether they are being equipped and whether they are using what God has given them to minister to others.

And the question for those equipping them is whether their work is producing spiritually mature, functioning members of Christ’s Body or simply maintaining a group of people dependent upon them.

Because according to Ephesians 4, the work is not finished when the teaching ends.

The work is bearing fruit when the members of the Body are equipped, growing, and actively ministering to one another.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐘. 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃. 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄.

Let me say that again! You are the MINISTRY! You have duty and responsibility to the Church Christ established. You are NOT to sit in a pew week after week after week after week and be a lump in a log.

Last: Love as God defines in 1 Corinthians 13.

𝗕𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂!

© Apostolic Doctrine Today

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲:
𝐁𝐲 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞