Some Aspects Of The Church From Its Beginning - The Church’s Construction - Part 6 Series

SOME ASPECTS OF THE CHURCH FROM ITS BEGINNING - THE CHURCH’S CONSTRUCTION - PART 6

THE CHURCH’S CONSTRUCTION

The Church is entirely a New Testament concept though as we saw, it is seen typically in the Old Testament. In this section I want to look at the formation of the Church, and its construction, and its continuance.

[A]. JESUS CHRIST THE CORNERSTONE – THE FIRST STEP

When Peter was speaking to the rulers and the elders in the face of persecution, this is recorded – {{Acts 4:11 “He is the STONE which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became THE VERY CORNER STONE”}} Peter did not mention any building or any other similar construction but he did name the Lord as the CORNERSTONE.

Peter was a rustic fisherman, not a man of great scholarship, but he had been with the Lord for three and a half years. Now he stands before the rulers and teachers of the nation boldly proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, with a scriptural understanding far greater than theirs. There is such snobbery in a number of churches where a man of quality is rejected for pastoral work on the grounds that he does not possess theological degrees. That must be condemned, as it is pride and elitism and snobbery. Some men like to parade around with their B.A, or D.Div or M.Theol or Ph.D and all the rest. Peter had none of those instituted degrees of men or any “paper” qualifications. He learned at the feet of the Master but for some churches, that would not be good enough. In some churches today Peter would not be given the time of day because “he has not had the education; nor has he been to a Theological Seminary”.

Praise God He uses the simple people, those who love Him and learn at His feet. That is why I appreciate the ordinary Christians who live in under resourced African places like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, etc. and in India, the Philippines and other places where Christians are accepted into ministry who have not been to bible colleges or Seminaries and all the rest. They learn from Jesus. That is the ONLY place of true learning.

I was so upset about the snobbery in some churches about the educational standing of pastors and others, and the rejection of godly persons not theologically trained, that I wrote a poem.

NOT IN DEGREES OR PEDIGREES BUT ON YOUR KNEES

The measure of a Christian, is not how much he knows,

But in the godly behaviour, his normal life shows.

Don’t talk to me about theological degrees,

Doctors of Divinity, or other pedigrees.

Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen unknown;

Just fishermen, a humble trade the world would disown,

But these four men with others, soon set the world ablaze,

And the world knew there was authority in their ways.

They had not theological degrees, but had more.

They trained under the Master, travelling shore to shore.

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Their power lay not in any academic mind,

But in the One who taught them, with whom they were aligned.

Theological qualifications count for nought,

UNLESS the person, at the feet of Jesus, was taught.

The secret is not in degrees of ability,

But in humble, spiritual viability.

The closer the walk with Jesus, the closer the gain;

Life in the Spirit, and faith, will godliness attain.

We must humble ourselves under the Lord’s mighty hand,

For that is God’s specified way to impact the land.

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Pride of achievement, and pride of place are traitorous;

To treat a church as “Sunday speeches” is treacherous.

God knows only humble servants, those who serve the Lord.

They are the ones who will know God’s well-deserved reward.

The ones who think they’re clever because they have degrees;

Ones who refuse to speak, unless they are paid their fees,

These all are charlatans, the false shepherds of God’s saints.

They are raping the heritage without due restraints.

It is not knowledge that counts, but time spent with the Lord.

It’s not academics, but with Jesus, in accord.

IT’S NOT DEGREES OR PEDIGREES, BUT IT’S ON YOUR KNEES,

FOR IT’S NOT MAN OR ITCHING EARS, BUT IT’S GOD YOU PLEASE!

R E Ferguson 16 January 2022

Peter stood there before the Council and delivered the word of God to them. These men supposedly had the training and all the “theological knowledge” and training, and certainly knew the source of Peter’s quote which is {{Psalm 118:22-24 “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the LORD’s doing. It is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”}} However they had no comprehension as to the proper meaning of that passage from Psalm 118 yet here is a mere fisherman expounding the Psalms. This is the work of the Holy Spirit for He is our teacher and no one else is more qualified. The Holy Spirit will open up the bible to the seeking, thirsting soul who wants to learn. Look to the Lord for enlightenment in the bible.