Church protected Mission ignored! Part-8

 Boasting on experiences than Christ’s mission!

 2 Corinthians 12: 2-7 “I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago…”

Experiences can be misleading when it is preached and forced upon to be a doctrine. Today, in Christendom there are innumerable expressions and each denomination cling on to one which best suits them and make it a mandatory requirement to be part of the Church. It becomes an identity for the Church.  We Christians and Churches are gravely divided over our personal spiritual experiences and vision. Ecumenism is a superficiality in Christendom. Just coming together once in a while and talking about unity is not what Jesus emphasised.

Christians are supposed to be united in the mission; God entrusted us with it. There is one mission given to all and i.e., to go and make disciples. Why are we so choosy over doctrines and mar Christian faith before the world and create an offense which prevents them to stay away from Christ the Savior? I understand that there are many doctrines and cults that prohibit giving glory to God and don’t acknowledge Jesus as only way and the Savior of the world. I am not referring to them.  But dividing over experiences, liturgies, worship & expression of the Holy Spirit are creating a void from the actual mission Christ gave to the Church.

There can be various expressions of happiness, for example, one may jump with joy, another may just be excited without any physical movements. Let me quote few examples, King David was leaping and dancing with joy before the ark of the covenant. It was an expression of extreme happiness and gratitude before God (2 Samuel 6:14,16). Does it mean this experience is the copyright of true worship and that it should pertain to a particular Church denomination? Not at all! Expressions are not a theology.  The Bible says, King David was wearing an ephod made of fine linen consisting of two pieces covering both back and front (Exodus 28:6-8, 31-32) And there are some serious comments referring him to be almost naked. Are we then ready to follow even that? Another example I wish to state about King Saul, which is recorded in 1 Samuel 19:23-24. It says, “So he went to Naioth in Ramah. The spirit of God also came on him and as he walked along, he prophesized until he entered Naioth in Ramah. Saul then removed his clothes and also prophesised before Samuel; he collapsed and lay naked all the day and all that night. That is why they say, Is Saul also among the Prophets?” How do you translate this? Now, can this expression be a standard for prophesying? Stop confusing expressions and experiences to the Biblical mandate entrusted to us.

Today, Churches are fighting over so many doctrines. One major thing is over tongues and prophesying. Though Bible has given a clear parameters over the operation of spiritual gifts, yet there are many who are ambiguous and contradictory over this. How do you bring this all together? Let me take you to Paul’s revelations who at one instance narrates a little on his vision to third heaven. But most importantly want to refer a sentence that he emphasises. 2 Corinthians 12: 2-7 “I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the  body I don’t know God Knows . . . was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. . . especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore , so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me. . .”.  The most important thing in this for me is when he says this happened fourteen years ago. If it was us today, we would immediately develop a new language, a new doctrine and a new theology with a Church denomination and a training school. For Paul that was a revelation and a personal experience, and he did not tamper with the main mission to spread the gospel.

Church, your mission is not your spiritual experiences and your personal vision, but rather being successful in mobilizing your Church to win souls for Christ. Enough of building frameworks and walls to secure your Church. Let Christ’s mandate, the mission be nurtured and released.

Click HERE in case you have not read Part 7 of this series  

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