THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH

COME AND WORSHIP JESUS CHRIST


 

APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE

Apostolic doctrine means the counsel of apostle. Yes, apostle is needed for the church (Acts 2:42). Apostle is a noble model of the early church. For the festival of Pentecost, all devout Jews gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 2:6). When Holy Spirit came upon the disciples of Lord Jesus Christ, they began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. When this sound occurred, the multitude came together and were amazed because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Though they were chosen and predestined by God, others mocked at them saying that they were blabbering under the influence of wine. Even today there are some supposedly devout Christians who sing of giving a million praises but when they see some true Christian saying a few praises, they call them Pentecostals and they begin to revile and ridicule it as Pentecostal doctrine. There is vast difference between what they sing and what they practice. What a hypocrisy!

The gospel of salvation was being preached with scriptural support from the stage. Soon after the meeting one man came with some doubt. When asked whether he was saved, that man who belonged to the Methodist church replied that he was saved according to the doctrine of his church but not according to the words preached by us! A speaker spoke in a C.S.I (Church of South India) convention "One man called me to his church. I asked him why? He said, "to know the truth". I showed him the bible in my hands and told him, "look, the truth is in my hands. Why should I go there?". There was a great applause!

This is C.S.I. salvation! Is not the Holy Bible in the hands of most of the Christians? Then what is the need of so many forms of ministry such as gospel preached through radio and television, church assemblies, magazine ministry, tracts ministry etc.? If it were the case, is it not justified to stop all these ministries? Similarly each church has drafted separate doctrines, principles and bible-studies for themselves and brand those who are different as devilish doctrine and devil's children. We can prove that all these various groups are wrong. There is no apostolic doctrine for them, as there is no apostle among them. As accounted in Acts 2:42, those who gladly received the apostle's word were baptized and added to the church. The Holy Scriptures show the example that all those three thousand persons who were thus added to the church (those who repented, believed in Lord Jesus Christ, confessed their sins, received immersion baptism and anointed by the Holy Spirit were added to the church), continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread (Holy Communion), and in prayers (and in worship). Yes, doctrines such as repentance, faith, baptism, and anointing of the Holy Spirit were preached by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:1-12 ; Mark 1:4-8; Luke 3:6-17), by our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15) and by the disciples prior to our Lord's death (Mat 10:5-15). Here the apostolic doctrine stands for the counsels by the apostles from time to time, in addition to the above. An apostle is necessary for this apostolic doctrine. Had not apostle Peter, with many other words testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation"? (Acts 2:40). That was apostolic doctrine.

Our Lord Jesus Christ ministered for us for three and half years. He had foregone food for the sake of preaching during day time and forgone sleep for the sake of praying during night time. But, in all the four gospels, the words mentioned in the Holy Scriptures to have been preached by the Lord, would not amount to more than what He might have preached in about seven sermons. The rest of His teachings have not been mentioned which were known only to the apostles. The apostles were the most prominent in the New Testament church (1Cr 12:28; Ehp 4:11-13). If there is no apostle in a church, then, it can not be a church at all. A church that is not built by an apostle is not a church at all (Matt. 16:18-19, Matt. 18:18). "Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Many promises made in the scriptures were given only to the apostles. For instance, the Lord has promised, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you" (John 14:26) and " However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come" (John 16:13). These kind of promises were given only to the apostles.

Barring the early apostles and like them the others who have been called to be apostles, can anybody claim that they have the anointing of the Holy Spirit and therefore they know all the truth and also know the things to come? No, it is not possible! Such promises belong to the apostles. Therefore the children of God should know that as given in the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Spirit and apostle are necessary. Without apostolic doctrine (Counsel and example by the apostle), none can become perfect. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or epistle (II Thes. 2:15).

Nearly whatever the apostles wrote by epistles are in the Holy Scriptures. Likewise their words too are necessary for our salvation (Phl. 2:12). "The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you" ( Phil. 4:9).

The solution for the problems of the church is the apostle. "And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed" (II Thes. 3:14). You need an apostle to pray night and day for you in order to see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith (1Th 3:10).

Apostle is needed to strengthen you and impart to you some spiritual gifts (Rom 1:11). You need apostle to pray for you and teach you the scriptures (Acts 6:2-4; 2Ti 3:14). When doubts and confusions in the doctrines arise, apostle is needed to determine the issue conclusively (Acts 15th chapter).

You need an apostle.

Those without apostolic doctrine will become unsettled and will not become perfect. God gives apostles to His true church (1Cr 12:28; Ehp 4:11-13).

This article was published by Chief Pastor N. Lazar, New Jerusalem Church

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