renewing and enriching life

President

Founder / President

India Bible College and Seminary

Date of Publication : 04/06/2018REVIVE (ENGLISH) JUNE 2018News paper Reg. No. KERENG/2007/22479

Printed by Major V.I. Lukose (Retired), for K. E. Abraham Foundation and published from P.O. Box 31, Hebron, Kumbanad, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India and Printed at Viani Printings, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. Editor: Pastor Dr. John K. Mathew

Vol. 11, Issue No. 6 June 2018 Hebron, Kumbanad, Kerala www.revivemegod.org

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Rev. Dr. T. Valson AbrahamPresident

Late Pastor T. S. Abraham

Led IBC for decades

M.Th (COUNSELING) 2 Yrs. Qualification : BD (Serampore) or M.Div (A.T.A and Non - A.T.A )

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Committed to Christ’s Great Commandments and Great Commission

Late Pastor K. E. Abraham Founder

INDIA BIBLE COLLEGE AND SEMINARYOver 14000 leaders trained and sent in the past 88 years to proclaim Christ and plant churches

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Christian unity is one of the most desired-and most misunderstood-qualities of the church.

In John 17, Jesus prays for unity among His disciples and those who would hear their preaching (that includes you and me). What did He actually pray for?

He did not pray for a one-world church under one leader. He did not pray for a uniform set of external standards followed by all who call themselves “Christians.” He did not pray for unanimity on every single doctrinal point taught in Christian churches. He did not pray for an indefinable “something” that would take place in some distant, unforeseeable future.

THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIAN UNITY

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renewing and enriching l i fePart - 1 2

These are what most people (including many Christians) assume when they hear of “Christian unity.” Actually, Jesus prayed for something much more profound, powerful - and simple.

Christian unity began that night in the Upper Room. Jesus’ prayer activated Christian unity, not just for the distant future but in the moment He prayed. His prayer stated the eternal plan of God about to be fulfilled a few hours later on the cross.

You and I, as brothers and sisters in Christ, are recipients of that eternal plan.

In essence, Christian unity is the life we share with one another through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This life began and has come down to us through the preaching of the apostles who were with Jesus that night He prayed. This life is activated through the Holy Spirit. Whatever our differences in time, background and experience, we all share the permanent presence of God in our lives because of the cross. We each have the same Holy Spirit.

We each have the opportunity to grow and mature in Christ and express it through the fruit of His Spirit.

As believers, we share the reality of being chosen by Him before the foundation of the world. Each of us is loved by the Father even as He loved Jesus the Son. Each of us grows in that love so we are better able to love one another.

We all share God’s love and the foundation for love of one another. We share His mission, whatever our racial, cultural, generational and economic differences. We possess different gifts and callings, we come from different times and places, but we all have the same Spirit who uses these different gifts for the same purpose - to glorify God and bless others.

Many times, we don’t express unity very well, but from the moment Jesus prayed His prayer in John 17, we gained that potential.

Because of God’s initiative of love through Jesus Christ, unity is not some elusive “something” we strive for but “Someone” we already have and need to know better.

Christian unity takes place when we begin to practice what God has already given to us. Christian unity takes place when we as believers in Jesus Christ act as if His Spirit already lives within us, and that He is always eager to reveal Himself through us by the fruits and gifts of His Spirit.

Before He prays over His disciples and the church in John 17, Jesus has already announced the coming and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in John 14-16. In John 16, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will strengthen His followers even more than His physical presence (John 16:7). Christian unity results because of His Spirit’s presence.

Therefore, when Jesus prays in John 17, He does not introduce unity as an isolated topic but as the practical and vital outcome of what will happen through the Holy Spirit whom He has already described in chapters 14-16. Christian unity is not something we do but rather what He does through us - when we let Him.

God is glorified when we bear much fruit (John 15:8), that is, to show unity with one another. The visible manifestation of Christian unity is a sure sign to the world of His continual presence in His church.

When this unity does not appear visibly, it is because we have prevented it. Whenever we judge a fellow believer, or whenever we fail to forgive him/her, we judge that person on the basis of outward things, though the Spirit of God dwells in both of us. When we do this, we “quench the Spirit.” To quench the Spirit means to silence the Spirit. We prevent the Holy Spirit from speaking and working through our lives because of false notions and unbelief.Right now, unity does not seem apparent to many because of the church’s many thousands of denominations. Many Christians become embarrassed and discouraged by this, but like Charles Spurgeon indicated, this is because we have focused on “the rough shell of the

clam while forgetting the pearl inside”. That “pearl” of unity is above all else, an inward work of the Spirit, not an outward thing such as church organization.The more we realize that the essence of unity is already ours through the finished work of Christ and the continual presence of His Spirit within us, we will love Him more and love each other more. The barriers that divide us will begin to crumble, and the world will begin to see unity in action. Let us pray daily that God will revive us and re-awaken us to the Truth we too often forget - His continual presence in each of us who is His child. The enemy works day and night to blind us to who and what we already are and have in Him so as to deny God His rightful glory. Let us disappoint the devil as we pray for our own revival!When we pray for revival, He will answer, and we will also see His Spirit poured out upon many others who still await and long for the Truth, and for the unity for which Jesus prayed.

* * *Father God, thank you for laying the foundation for unity through the finished work of your Son, Jesus Christ, and the work of your Holy Spirit. Help me to better practice your presence and put these wonderful truths to work in my life that I may love you more and love my brothers and sisters more. Send a great revival to your church that breaks down barriers of judgment and unforgiveness, and testifies to the world of your glory and power. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

In essence,christian unity is the

life we share with one another through the

finished work of Jesus christ on the cross. This life began and has come down to us through the

preaching of the apostles who were with Jesus that

night He prayed.

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renewing and enriching l i fePart - 1 3

Rev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham preaching. translation : Pastor K. A. John.

Rev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham with the OPA church council and Pastor K. A. John.

Rev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham praying for the elders and church council of

Oman Pentecostal Assembly.

Special Plaque as expression of thanks given to Rev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham for ministering the Word at the 45th Annual convention of Oman Pentecostal Assembly. Presentation done by Secretary - Elder, Brother George K. Samuel and Pastor K. A. John.

The OPA choir with Rev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham. The melodious singing of the OPA choir was a blessing to all during the week of convention.

OmAN PENTECOSTAl ASSEmblY (OPA) 45TH ANNUAl CONvENTION

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Church was a mystery hidden in the mind of God. It was unknown to the Old Testament saints and prophets. The church is not the continuation of the Old Testament Israel. It was not existed even in the time of Jesus. It can be assumed from the statement of Jesus at Philippi Caesarea, where He said to the disciples that He would build His Church Matthew 16:18. He stated this in the future tense, which means, the church was not existed in the time when he notified this. But the Church was formed or born on the cross of Calvary by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. In the Scripture we see that Jesus had seen his offspring while he had given his life an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10). The formal inauguration of the Church was made on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit had descended upon the 120 disciples. It will continue on earth till the Rapture.

The Greek word for church is ‘ecclesia’, which is derived from two words “ek” and “kaleo”. Ek means ‘out’ and kaleo means ‘call’. So ecclesia means ‘called out’. Church is a group of people called out for a special purpose – to worship and serve Him. In Greek colloquial language church is ‘kuriakose’, which means ‘one who belongs to the Lord’. So the definition of the church is a group of people called out for a special purpose and who belongs to the Lord.

The Church is not an organization but an organized organism. It is symbolized in the scripture with various things such as bride, garden, building, nation, temple etc. Church is considered as a building in Ephesians 2: 20-22. But it is not an inorganic infrastructure, but a living and growing organism.

This living organism has a strong foundation, which cannot be material or human. There are certain Bible verses, which demonstrate the foundation of the Church, which are as follows:-

1 Corinthians 3: 11 “After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that is Jesus the Messiah” (ISV)

Matthew 16: 18 “I tell you that you are Peter, and it is on this rock I will build my Church”

Ephesians 2: 20 “Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the Messiah Jesus himself being the corner stone.”

Pastor P. J. Daniel Thiruvananthapuram

Faculty, India Bible College and Seminary, Kumbanad

THE FOUNDATIONOF THE CHURCH

The church is not an organization

but an organized organism. It is

symbolized in the scripture with various

things such as bride, garden, building,

nation, temple etc.

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Himself is the foundation. The chief cornerstone was the foundational stone in ancient ar-chitecture, from which all measurements began, so every other stone was laid in relationship to the cornerstone. Clearly this position belongs to Jesus.But if Jesus is the foundation, then in what sense is it the foundation "of the apostles and prophets."Some claim, this means the apostles and prophets are the foundation, but such a view would directly contradict the above passages. And the idea is not necessary to the language."Of the apostles" in the Greek is a possessive (genitive plural). It simply means belonging to or pertaining to the apostles and prophets. It does not say the apostles and prophets are the foundation, but simply that the foundation in some way pertains or relates to them. For example “this is the house of Daniel” We will never say that Daniel is the House, but this house pertains or belongs to Daniel. So in what way does Jesus, as the foundation or chief cornerstone, pertain to the apostles and prophets? They revealed the gospel message which made known to the world about Jesus as the foundation of the church.

No less important than the building is the foundation of the church. No building is stronger than its foundation. What then is the foundation of the church? In I Cor. 3:11, we are given the answer, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” However, let us read Matt. 16:18 where Jesus says, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” What is this “rock” to which Jesus refers? Whatever it is, upon it the church was built by Christ. In order to get the complete picture of the text, notice verse 16, “And Simon Peter answered “You are the Messiah, the son of the Living God”. Jesus is the Builder and Foundation of the Church. Then in verse 17 the Lord blesses Peter for the confession which he had made, and in verse 18 the Lord promises to build His church. It is clear from the text that Christ planned to build His church upon the truth of Peter’s confes-sion: “Thou art the Christ; the Son of the living God. ”Some have mistakenly interpreted this passage to mean that Christ built His church on Peter. However, a closer look at the wording will show that this is not, and cannot be true.When Jesus said, “I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter”, Jesus used the Greek word for Peter which is ‘petros’ means stone, a rock, a small pebble, etc. But when Jesus said, “upon this rock”, Jesus used the Greek word, ‘petra’ means a huge mass or ledge of rock. The two words are as different as their meanings. The Church is therefore founded upon the fact that Jesus is the Christ, God’s infallible Son, and not upon Peter, a fallible, erring creature.In Isaiah’s prophecy, chapter 28 and verse 16, it reads, “Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold,

I lay in Zion for a foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foun-dation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” In Matt. 21:42 Jesus applies this prophecy to Himself: “Jesus said unto them, did you never read in the scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’sdoing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” Later in Acts 4:11 the apostle Peter, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, applies this same prophecy to Jesus: “This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.” Jesus, and not Peter, is the head of the church, as well as its foundation. It’s important to note that the Church is built upon a divine rather than a human foundation. Christ is God, eternal and immortal. In John 1:1, the apostle tells us of Christ: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” The apostle Paul says this of Christ in Philippians 2:6,“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.”Therefore, as the foundation of the Church, Christ will endure forever. Death, decay and depreciation cannot harm the church. For Christ who is its builder, head and foundation shall live forever.

1 Peter 2: 4 – 8 “. . . . Look I am laying a chosen, precious corner stone in Zion”

Psalms 118: 22 “The stone that the builders rejected has become the corner stone”

Of these five verses except Ephesians 2: 20 agree that Jesus Christ is the only foundation. Ephesians 2: 20 adds that the Apostles and Prophets as Foundation. In Ephesians 2:20-22 Paul uses an illustration to describethe blessings we have in the church. In the context, he has referred to the church as a household or nation (v19). Now he refers to it as a temple. See the very similar example in 1Peter 2:4-8.He describes the foundation of this temple as the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus being the chief cornerstone. This is like 1 Peter 2:4-8 and Psalm 118:22 where Jesus is also said to be the chief cornerstone. Likewise, 1 Corinthians 3:11 says there can be no foundation other than Jesus Christ.

These other passages make clear that Jesus

Jesus useD the Greek word for

Peter which is ‘petros’ means stone, a rock, a small pebble, etc. But

when Jesus said, “upon this rock”, Jesus used the Greek word, ‘petra’ means a huge mass or ledge of rock. The two words are as different as their meanings. The

church is therefore founded upon the fact

that Jesus is the Christ,

Available at : ibc and seminary office, revive office, K. E. A. F. book depot Kumbanad iGo campus, Kozhimala

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AutobioGRAPHy oF PAstoR K. E. AbRAHAm

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“The Church as a spiritual house built as lively stones”

Today’s believers still rejoice to the lyric of Pastor Edward Mote’s hymn, “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand…” Peter, whose name means “rock”, the original Rocky, said that we have come to Christ “as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious” (1 Peter 2:4). Christ is the stone rejected of the religious and political builders of His day. But we rush to Him for safety – “…when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). He sets our feet on solid rock and establishes our ways. All is secure in Him. Christ is both the cornerstone and the capstone of our corporate experience, the Alpha and Omega of the entire plan of redemption.

1. ChRisT: The MAson

The church is a living Temple, the “habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). Christ is the owner and master of the house. This is “the house that Christ built”. He is the mason who makes every stone fit in its proper place. But He is also the foundation of the house (1 Corinthians 3:11). The first mention of the New Testament 'ecclesia' is found in Matthew 16:18 – “Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. Scripture is clear as to the base rock or footing of the superstructure. There is no “rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2). Paul mentioned the smitten rock in the wilderness, “that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4).

A foundation alone does not make a temple. So the Mason adds stones to the foundation – “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood…” (1 Peter 2:5) We shouldn’t picture uniform “one size fits all” bricks in Peter’s metaphor. A gifted mason fits all sizes and shapes of stones into an artistic mosaic. Every believer has a rank or position, and place to serve in this living temple. The tribe of Zebulon was known for its men who were “expert in war” men who “could keep rank: they were not of a double heart” (1 Chronicles 12:33). Maintaining position is our stewardship. Be encouraged that there is a place for you to serve.

As a young man, fresh out of high school, I became skilled in handling a mason’s trowel, cementing one brick to another. In building His church, Jesus took a towel into His hands, not a trowel, and washed the disciples’ feet. The Church, then, is as much built on the love of God as it is on Christ’s character and righteousness. This house of living

Dr. Kris A. JacksonBranson West, MO USA

THE CHURCH FROm CORNERsTONE

TO CApsTONE

PeTer wAs THe first stone laid because he

was the first to grasp the revelation of christ as being

the son of the living God. It would be fair to say that

Peter was the first member of the New Testament

church. similarly, in type, Abraham was the first stone

in the Old Testament House.

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stones is distinct in that it is chiefly a house of loving stones.

2. BoDy of ChRisT: The MAnsion

The Mason is constructing a Mansion. Paul pictured the church both as a body and as a building, the Body of Christ and the Building of God.

Peter was the first stone laid because he was the first to grasp the revelation of Christ as being the Son of the living God. It would be fair to say that Peter was the first member of the New Testament church. Similarly, in type, Abraham was the first stone in the Old Testament House – “Look to the rock from which you were hewn…” (Isaiah 51:1) Christ is the cornerstone, Peter was added then another and another. Peter was not a Pope, but a petros in Greek, a fragment of rock cemented in union with the giant ledgestone who is Christ, petra. Both are “rock”, one is larger but both are of the same geological material. Charles Spurgeon further stated that Jesus “and the rest of his apostles make up the first course of stone in the great temple of God”. Once cemented, foundation and frame become one. Dr. Kenneth Wuest makes much of the fact that once petros connects with petra it can never go back to being a mere fragment of rock. As in human marriage, the twain become one.

In my country there is an insurance company that advertises, “own a piece of the rock”. The corporate logo pictures the Rock of Gibraltar. We too own a piece of the Rock. Believers sign with the Company through the same profession as Peter. The building, the Mansion, stands in all nations with tens of millions of stones, not mere pebbles but elect and precious earth-stones all cemented and built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.

The architecture is not to be showcased. It is not the abode of doctrines and pews and traditions and religious forms. It is the very dwelling place of God through the Holy Spirit. As to lithosphere we are “lively stones”, as to atmosphere we are a “spiritual house”, the Temple breathes the very life of God.

3. eVAngelisM: The Mission

What then is the mission of this building? It is error to assume the mission of the Church is to just “have church”. Buildings have doors. As we have come to Christ we invite all to come to Christ. Don’t miss the importance of Peter’s metaphor. The church is not stone alone. The Law was written in tablets of stone, hard, unfeeling, uncaring, crushing everything in its path. What we present to the world is not a bag of rocks. People need love, living epistles not stone-cold orthodoxy.

David’s smooth stones hit their target. The rough edges of his slingshot ammunition were sanded down through years of friction in the streambed. Raw rock must be polished. Every stone individually has a mission and every local congregation or corporate church organization has a mission. To the blind and ignorant we become a stone of stumbling and to the religious and intolerant we are a rock of offense, but to those with ears to hear, the church offers guidance, inclusion and the roadmap to salvation.

Our mission is to reach the nations.

4. KingDoM of ChRisT: The DoMinion

“The gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. This building will survive, its true stones will never fall into ruin. Christ the Cornerstone will crown the top course of the building as Capstone. At last “he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it” (Zechariah 4:7). The house is not yet finished but completion date is very near.

Daniel speaks of a stone cut from the mountain without the aid of human hands (Daniel 2:34). That stone will roll down the mountainside and demolish every earthly opposition. For centuries the names of faithful saints have been added to the Book of Martyrs. Some gunned down or burned at the stake, and some stoned. Picture the battery of rocks that pummeled the church’s first martyr Stephen. Time settles the score. He that is without sin among you may cast the first stone. Only Christ holds that right and one day when the Lamb becomes the Judge, He will administer justice. There will be a payback for every stoning down through the ages when the Stone of judgment begins to roll. I am tempted to call this God’s Rock and Roll. At that hour, this chunk of rock, the church, will grow into a mountain, the Kingdom.

Christ will return in power and set up an everlasting Kingdom. Every knee shall bow and every government shall quickly submit to the claims of the Sovereign. “And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder” (Matthew 21:44). This is God’s mortar and pestle. When the dust clears Christ and His living stones will be left standing. The vehement flood will have been to no avail, every attack of Satan and his minions will fail, because the house “was built on a rock”. Is your life built on Christ and His word? All other ground is sinking sand.

A small band of faithful, praying believers with a fervor to serve the Lord decided on 23rd December of 1973 to establish OMAN PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLYor popularly referred to as OPA or as PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY MUSCAT. God heard the prayers and honored the faith of those handful pioneers and today OPA has grown to be the largest Pentecostal Church in the Middle East for the expatriates.God blessed OPA and it has flourished to be a source of blessing not only to believers in Oman but to many churches in India.OPA consists of Pentecostal believers from various denominations. They have demonstrated how spirit - filled believerscan overcome barriers and make valuable contributions for the growth of the church and be a blessing to many. The main objective of OPA is the furtherance of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. They advance the gospel while maintaining fellowship with all children of God. OPA is committed and faithful to the Pentecostal truths and doctrines. OPA is dedicated to worship our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in truth and spirit. This year 2018 OPA is celebrating its 45th year of ministry and God’s faithfulness. OPA has displayed and modeled the way God uses the Spirit of Unityamong believers to proclaim the ‘Good News’.

As part of its 45th anniversary celebration, OPA invited Rev. Dr. T Valson Abraham as speaker for their week long 45th Annual convention in the month of May of 2018. OPA is governed by a strong church council and it is currently pastored by Pastor K.A.Johnand the Secretary of the Church Council is Brother George K Samuel. OPA has planned to distribute 25 two wheelers to very needy evangelists serving in North Indian areas and who are engaged in Evangelisation . They extend their support to specific Bible colleges, to those engaged in Pioneer church planting ministries and offer educational support to 45 students who have successfully completed the 12th class exams.OPA offers spiritual enrichment through all its weekly services and activities: There are Worship Services everyFriday morning &evening and meetings throughout the week. Other regular activities include: Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, Sodaree Samajam (Women’s Fellowship).Services during the week are also conducted in Tamil, Hindi, Bangla and English.

OmAN PENTECOSTAl ASSEmblY (OPA)

The church is not stone alone. The

Law was written in tablets of stone, hard, unfeeling,

uncaring, crushing everything in its path.

What we present to the world is not a bag of rocks.

People need love, living epistles not stone-cold

orthodoxy.

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Part - 1 8

The term “the church” is used to apply to all those whom Christ died to redeem, all those whoare saved by the death of Christ. Jesus Christ himself builds the church by calling his people to himself. Moreover, God has called the church out of the world for a purpose. He intended for his creation to have fellowship with him. When that fellowship was broken, God called the people of Israel; but when Israel failed, God himself entered fully into hu-man history in the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus then called twelve disciples and formed the nucleus of God's new people, the church, which has been called into being to be the means by which all of humanity is restored to fellowship with its creator (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:18-20).Therefore, members need to maintain close fellowship within the church and also grow spiritually to carry out God's purposes in the world.These objectives are achieved through nurture and edification within the church.

The Scripture outlines the purposes of the church in terms of ministry to God, ministry to the world, and ministry to believers. Initially, in relationship to God, the church’s purpose is toworship him. Paul directs the church at Colossae to “sing psalms and hymns andspiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16). Worship in the church is in itself fulfilling the major purpose of the church with reference to its Lord. Secondly, the purpose of the church in terms to the ministry to the World is evangelism and the work of mercy. Jesus told his disciples that they should “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). Along with the work of evangelism, the scripture mandates us to involve in the ministry of mercy, a ministry that includes caring for the poor and needy in the name of the Lord. Jesus tells us, Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return;.. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:35–36). The third purpose, the ministry to believers includes nurture and edification. According to Scripture, the church has an obligation to nurture believers and build them up to maturity in the faith. Paul said that his own goal was not simply to bring people to initial saving faith but to “present every man mature in Christ” (Col. 1:28). And he told the churchat Ephesus that God gave the church gifted persons “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:12–13). Therefore, edification is one of the vital aspects of the existence of the church.

Dr. shaibu AbrahamFaculty Member, Chaplain,

India Bible College and Seminary

CHURCH lIFE FOR EDIFICATION OF CHRIsTIANs

The scrIPTure outlines the purposes of

the church in terms of ministry to God, ministry

to the world, and ministry to believers. Initially,

in relationship to God, the church’s purpose is

toworship him.

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eDifiCATionSo what is edification? To edify is to

improve, instruct, or enlightenmorally or spiritually.Edification, therefore brings spiritual growth. 2 Peter 1:5-8 says, "For this very rea-son, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with god-liness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." In essence, Peter is talking about edification. As Christians, we are expected to grow spiritually and to build one another up (1 Thess 5:11; Rom 14:19). Edificationis for the glory of God and the good of His people.

Paul's first letter to the church at Thessa-lonica, he exhorted them to "edify one another" (1 Thes. 5:11). The word "edify" comes from the Greek word oikodomeowhich means toliter-ally as "the building of a house."The idea Paul had in mind was that Christians should "build" one another up in the faith. The Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament comments that it is "the act of one who promotes another's growth in Christians wisdom, piety, holiness, happiness". One of the highest duties that a Christian has is to encourage others. In a world filled with pessimism, violence and despair, our need for encouragement is great. It is all too easy to discourage and neglect others but the believers are called to build up and nurture one another.Even though there are various activities and practices that bring edification of believers in the church, here we shall focus on some of the most significant elements which are indispen-sible for the healthy growth of Christians.

TeAChing of The WoRDThe word of God as preached and taught

brings salvation and edification. We are being born again by the word of truth (Jam 1:18). Similarly, Peter says,“You have been born anew, ..through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). Moreover, once we have become Christians, it is the word of God that is able to build us up (Acts 20:32). It is necessary for spiritualnourishment. It is the word of God that gives direction and guidance as a “lamp” to our feet and a “light” toour path (Ps. 119:105). In the midst of an ungodly culture Scripture gives wisdom andguidance like “a lamp shining in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19).

Jesus says in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live on bread alone,but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”. Here Jesus indicates that our spiritual life is maintained by daily nourishment with the Word ofGod. To neglect regular reading of God’s word is as detrimental to the health of oursouls as the neglect of physical food is detrimental to the health of our bodies. Apostle Peter similarly encourages the Christians to long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it we may grow up to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). The “pure spiritual milk” here refers to the word of God. Other passages also indicate that the word of God is sufficient to equip us for living the Christian life. Paul writes to Timothy, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17).

In the New Testament the concept of mutual edification through word of God is applied to the corporate body of the Church. Mutual edification involves helping one another to grow into Christ-likeness, and it requires the participation of all members of the church. Teaching and preaching improve our understanding of God and grow in spiritual maturity; encouragement promotes conduct that develops Christ-like character. When we exhort one another and hold one another accountable, we are prompted to engage in activities that promote godliness.

Use of sPiRiTUAl gifTsAnother way in which edification takes place in the church is through the use of spiritual

gifts. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:12 and repeatedly in 1 Corinthians 14:1-26 that edifica-tion is one of the reasons that spiritual gifts are given to believers. Paul offers instruction on spiritual gifts in Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28-30; Eph. 4:7-12.Spiritual gifts are unusual manifestations of God's grace (charis) and its purpose was always the edification of believers. The exercise of a spiritual gift implied service in thec hurch. In instructing Christians on the exercise of these gifts, Paul is concerned to stress their practical nature. The Spirit bestows his charismata for the edification of the church, the formation of Christian character, and the service of the community. The reception of a spiritual gift, therefore, brought serious responsibility, since it was essentially an opportunity for self-giving in sacrificial service for others

All of the various members have been given gifts. These gifts are not for personal satisfaction, but for the edification (building up) of the body as a whole. While there is diversity of gifts, there is not to be division within the body. Some of these gifts are more noticeable than others, but theyare not therefore more important (12: 14-25). No one gift is for everyone(12:27-31); therefore,each member needs the others, and each is needed by the others.Peter also views spiritual gifts as channels through which mutual edification takes place; he says, “As each has received a gift, employ it for oneanother, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). When gifts are usedfor one another in the church, God’s grace is thereby dispensed to those for whomGod intended it. Great blessing will come to the church through proper use of spiritualgifts, as the church follows Paul’s command to use the gifts to “strive to excel inbuilding up the church” (1 Cor. 14:12).Moreover, we should remember thatthese gifts are distributed not only to ministers or a limited number of Christians, but toall believers who have the Holy Spirit within them (1 Cor. 12:7, 11; 1 Peter 4:10).

felloWshiPA third element that brings edification within the church is fellowship of the members.

Fellowship (koinonia) in the NewTestament refers to a religioussharing, a religious com-

In The neW Testament the

concept of mutual edification through

word of God is applied to the corporate

body of the Church. Mutual edification involves helping

one another to grow into Christ-likeness, and it requires the participation of all

members of the church.

Vol. 09, Issue No. 3, March 2016

Vol. 11, Issue No. 6 June 2018renewing and enriching l i fe

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monness (1 Cor. 1:9; 10:20; 2 Cor. 6:14;Gal. 2:9; 1 John 1:3). Fellowship is a heartfelt sense of brotherhood, of closeness, ofbelonging to one family in the Lord (Phil. 2:1). We should not neglect ordinary Christian fellowship as it is a valuable means of edification within the church. The early church “devoted themselves to theapostles’ teaching and fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts2:42). And the author of Hebrews reminds believers, “Let us consider how to stir upone another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit ofsome, but encouraging one another..” (Heb. 10:24–25). In the fellow-ship of believers, friendship andaffection for one another will grow, and Jesus’ injunction that we “love one another”will be fulfilled. Moreover, as believers care for one another, they will“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).It would also be healthy for Christians to recognize that a measure of God’s grace is experienced when Christians talk together and eat together, enjoy-ing one another’s fellowship.

Paul views the churchas a family when he tells Timothy to act as if all the church mem-bers were members of a larger family: “Do not rebuke an older man but exhort him as you would a father;treat younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, younger women likesisters, in all purity” (1 Tim. 5:1–2). God is our heavenly Father (Eph. 3:14), and weare his sons and daughters. We are thereforebroth-ers and sisters with each other in God’s family (Matt. 12:49–50; 1 John 3:14–18).

In 1 Corinthians 12,the metaphor of body is used for the church. Thisimage of the body of Christ speaks of the interconnectedness between all the persons who make up the

church. Christian faith is not to be defined merely in terms of individual relationship to the Lord. There is no such thing as an isolated, solitary Christian life. Paul stresses the dependence of each believer upon every other. He emphasizes that“all the members of the body, though many, are one body” (v. 12). All believers, whether Jew or Greek, have been baptized by one Spirit into onebody, and have been made to drink of one Spirit (v. 13). There isa mutuality; each believer encourages and builds up the others. In Ephesians 4: 11-16, Paul develops this idea of the value of each one’s contribution to the others. He concludes:“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part isworking properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.” Moreover, members of the body are to bear one another’s burdens and restore those who are found to be in sin (Gal. 6:1-2). In some cases, dealing with sinful members may involvegentle restoration. At times, it may involve barring from the fellow-ship those who are defiling it.

ChRisTiAn giVingA fourth aspect that brings edification within the church is Christian giving. In the New

Testament, edification and fellowship sometimes means sharing goods. In 2 Corinthians 8:4 and Philippians 1:5 it refers to giving gifts to help needy fellow Christians. The early church had a truly radical fellowship. In Acts 4:32 we read, "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, ... they had everything in common." They shared their hearts, souls and their property. Some of the Christians sold property and gave the proceeds to the apostles for the needs of fellow Christians. The early church gave readily to the needs of poor Christians, so that “There was not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34).

CHrIsTIAN faith is not to be defined merely in terms of individual

relationship to the Lord. There is no such thing as an isolated, solitary

christian life. Paul stresses the dependence

of each believer upon every other.

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It is most pleasing to God when gifts of shar-ing are accompanied by giver’s ownpersonal commitment to God, as was the case among the Macedonians who“first...gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God” (2 Cor. 8:5), and then gave to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem. When giving is carried out joyfully, “not reluctantly or un-der compulsion,” there is the great reward of God’sfavour with it, “for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).Paul views the giving to the Lord’s work as spiritual sowing that will lead to a harvest: “he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6).As wegive rightly God will bless us: God is able to make all grace a bound to us that always having all sufficiency in everything, and may have an abundance for every good deed (2 Cor. 9:8). Paul tells that, we will be enriched in every way for great generosity which through us will produce thanks giving to God (2 Cor. 9:11). Therefore giving blesses the recipient in that his or her needs are met and faith and thanksgiving for God’s provision are increased; it blesses the giver because “God loves a cheerful giver”. Generous sharing will grant an abundant spiritual harvest, and brings blessing to many since it produces a harvest of many thanksgivings to God (2 Cor. 9:12).

Summarising our discussion, the church is the representative of God in the world to carry out God's eternal purpose of gathering all humanity unto him. Moreover, God's plan for a believer is to grow in the stature of his son Christ to become "light of the world and salt of the earth". Edification through the word of God, use of spiritual gifts, fellowship and sharing of our resources would help to strengthenourselves and achieve divine purposes in the world .