Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

Relationship with GOD is different from “religion” because with religion a type of reconstruct has occurred whereof conformity to man’s desired reality attempts to supersede the will of GOD relayed in His WORD. It is of utmost importance to read the WORD for oneself and open to receiving teaching by the Holy Spirit who dwells within all redeemed, re-created, reconciled, and restored by the blood of Jesus. The primary Teacher is the Holy Spirit whose teachings are supplemented by the five-fold ministry gifts of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 4:11) which do not conflict with the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1Co 12:8-10). Needless to say, a gift is bestowed; hence to be “called” (Eph 4:1) is of GOD, as opposed to of self. Therefore, the five-fold ministry: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher supplement the teachings of the Holy Spirit “12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to unity of the faith . . . . to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ Ephesians 4:12-13 (NKJV).

Although a one-fold ministry is non-scriptural, a significant number of Believers have come to rely solely on the Pastor. Oftentimes, such results in action or inaction rooted in decision-making that involves no others, regardless of whom the LORD has sent with certain skill-sets or expertise. For those who’ve called themselves/the self-called, such may be manipulative toward self-exaltation; yet recognizable by those who spend quality time in the presence of GOD. For those who are “called” by the LORD and give evidence of integrity, such behavior may be fear-based; yet those in the meat of the WORD may recognize fear as the opposite of faith. The LORD told Moses how the Tabernacle was to be constructed, and the LORD gifted others with the expertise by which to make decisions for accomplishing that move of GOD. Moses was even open to the suggestions of his father-in-law who recommended a better way of governance. Moses never presumed to be the only one who knew best; and he relied on neither favoritism nor nepotism (which both his sister and brother took issue with but the LORD made short work of that).

Hebrews 11:1 tells us what faith is; yet it isn’t referring to faith as being blind. Neither is the ability to discern the difference between good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23a) and bad fruit synonymous with “judging”; and the GOD enabled ability to be humble, gentle, and patient with love (Eph 4:2-3) isn’t synonymous with being a doormat. The service (ministry) of Believers doesn’t include the “go along”. In 1517 Martin Luther stood against a form of “religion” which promoted the concept of an official pardon granted for a particular amount of money (as though forgiveness of sin could be purchased with anything other than the blood of Jesus). In 1794 Richard Allen stood against a form of “religion” which promoted the concept of the right to kneel & pray only for a particular hue (as though right standing by the blood of Jesus required anything more than believing & confessing Jesus as Savior & Lord). Apostolic reformation pertains to pulling down strongholds that stagnate relative to a new move of GOD which will never contradict His WORD.

Speak the promise . . . Harriet