New Testament Church The Church Institution
1. Guidance of the Holy Spirit 1. Human reasoning and guidance
(John 14:26, 16:13)
- Dependence on His leading - Programs and committees
- Prayer with power - Prayers with no power
and hearing His voice or expectations
2. Gifts of the Spirit 2. Gifts of the Spirit
(1 Corinthians 12:7-11,
Romans 12:6-8)
- All gifts were operational in - Gifts not operating during
church gatherings church gatherings
- Acceptance of all the gifts - Limiting the gifts
- All gifts: supernatural & natural - No supernatural gifts accepted
- Spirit’s power through gifts - Limiting the gifts limits the
Spirit’s power
3. Gifts of Christ 3. Gifts of Christ
(Ephesians 4:11-12)
- The five measure/ministries - The five measure/ministries
of Christ operational not operational
- Each ministry had a function - Teach: some not for today’s
in the Body church
- Each ministry operated through - Limiting Christ’s gifts,
Holy Spirit power limits Spirit’s power
4. Gift of Leadership 4. Gift of Leadership
(Romans 12:8; 1 Tim. 3:1-13;
Titus 1:6-9)
- Circular Oversight of the - Pyramid oversight of a lead
eldership (1 Peter 5:1-4) pastor
- Elders leading & shepherding - Limited elders’ oversight
the church (Acts 20:28-31)
- Elders supported by deacons’ - Some denominations only
help deacons no elders
- Shepherding of elders very - Not clear shepherding of
clear and defined church people
- Not permitting controlling spirits - Danger of controlling spirit
from leaders (3 John 9-10) of dictator
5. Gathering as a Church 5. Gathering as a Church
(1 Corinthians 14:23-33, 39)
- Tongues and prophecies - Tongues and prophecies not
permitted but controlled permitted
- Gathering free for the Spirit - Gathering controlled;
to move Spirit not free
- Healings, word of wisdom, - No supernatural manifestation
word of knowledge permitted permitted
- Power of the Spirit free to move - Limiting the Spirit limits
and change lives His power
6. Praise and Worship 6. Praise and Worship
- Free for believers to move - Controlled and organized
with the Spirit in worship
- Free for believers to move - Organized entertainment
with the Spirit in singing
- No reference to musical - Very loud music with electric
instruments instruments