I’m Leaving the Principles of the doctrine…
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” Hebrews 6:1-3
In reviewing the threads and associated responses to those thread here at AFF, I have an unease feeling in my spirit and heart. The genesis of the uneasiness is the style, tone and confrontational nature of the threads, and especially the snide and accusing responses of Apostolic brothers and sisters.
Have we, as an Apostolic movement, decided to admire, decorate and continuously trim The Foundation of our beliefs while willfully refusing to advance the House of God on to perfection?
I will not make one caveat here concerning my Apostolic heritage and beliefs…there is no need…it is a critical, even desperate time for us…not because of any single issue…not because of our stand on any given evangelistic tool, program or method, and not because of our individual theological position on the precise definitions of the Godhead. We, as a movement, must “leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ,” refuse to be caught up in a discussion with “Sanballat and Tobiah” on the merits or lack of merits of “building the wall!”
The Foundation is essential and it must be sure, solid and firmly anchored on the Rock, Christ Jesus. But, if we continue to insist on refining, massaging and admiring the true foundation, when will we truly
do the will of God...which is to
“go on unto perfection,” building a wonderful, glorious and inviting House of God to His glory and honor? We may enjoy the foundation’s purity, its immovability and its eternal consistency, but the purpose of The Foundation is not, and has never been, to be an end
unto itself. Any builder who completes a successful foundation clearly realizes that he has only
begun a good work. With the foundation in place, there is still much to be done in order to achieve a building or structure that is functional, safe and welcoming to its occupants or guests.
We cannot afford to continue this addiction and compulsive focus on The wonderful Foundation of Jesus Christ or issues not directly relevant to continuing the
"Building." Can we not find the motivation, even inspiration, in Scripture to continue the building process and thereby do the good and acceptable and perfect will of God? There is a “plum line” available to us in the example and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ...a solid Cornerstone! Let’s take that plum line, measure straight lines, in light of His Word, and continue the process for which He has called us all.
As for me, I can’t take part in any more academic and often futile discussions of the doctrines of repentance, faith, baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. There is a
greater Cause; there is a more
perfect goal and there is a
Call unto perfection…and make no mistake, this call is not to
holy perfection…this is a God-mandated call to fulfilling His perfect Will in all our lives…
Earnestly, prayfully and sincerely, I say,
“And this will we do, if God permit”
…and
if we can pull ourselves up above the level of The Foundation and see the Heights and Glory of His House!
.
Threaded Mode
