A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 833 Published: 16 Oct 2017
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY? Part 16
1517-1700
THE ANABAPTISTS
While Luther was open to the supernatural in his own life, he largely rejected it in church life, retaining much of the liturgy and organisational principles of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) e.g. infant baptism and a state supported, territorial church.
THE SO-CALLED RADICAL REFORMERS
The Anabaptist movement began in Zurich, Switzerland, as part of the Reform Movement led by Ulrich Zingli, a contemporary of Luther. A split developed between Zingli and two of his colleagues, Felix Manz and Conrad Grebel, when Zingli decided to co-operate with the Zurich City Council's decree that mass continue to be celebrated and the destruction of images in the churches be stopped. Those who disagreed with this and also refused infant baptism were banished from the region.
In Switzerland, and throughout Europe, groups of reformers dissatisfied with the 'half way house' reforms of Luther and Zwingli, whom they accused of tearing down the old systems without building new ones, desired to re-establish the pure apostolic order of the New Testament church.
BELIEVER'S BAPTISM
At the heart of Anabaptist beliefs was the need for believers (as opposed to infant) baptism. For this they were heavily persecuted by both the RCC and other Protestant groups, with adult baptism being made an offence punishable by death.
Additionally, they believed in the illumination of the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit - the ability, as we would say, to 'read between the lines'. The persecution led them to meet in homes, forests and fields, where they regularly danced in the Spirit, spoke in tongues and fell under the Spirit's power.
THE 'PROPHETHOOD' OF ALL BELIEVERS
The Anabaptists, in response to the ecclesiastical system of the RCC, extended Luther's 'priesthood of believers' revelation to a 1 Corinthians 14 system, being the exercise of spiritual gifts by all believers during church meetings.
In a Swiss Anabaptist document dated c.1532-1534 entitled 'Answer of Some Who Are Called (Ana)Baptists Why They Do Not Attend the Churches', the author says.....
When someone comes to church and constantly hears only one person speaking, and all the listeners are silent, neither speaking nor prophesying, who can or will regard or confess the same to be a spiritual congregation, or confess according to 1 Corinthians 14 that God is dwelling and operating in them through His Holy Spirit with His gifts, impelling them one after another in the above mentioned order of speaking and prophesying.
CHARISMATIC-PROPHETIC EXTREMES
It is a characteristic truism that charismatic Christians of every age believe the return of Jesus to be imminent. This apocalyptic expectation was taken to extremes by a few early Anabaptists, and led to the whole movement being discredited amongst many, both then and now.
A writer of the time, Obe Philips, in "A Confession," wrote.....
Now when these teachings and consolation with all the fantasies, dreams, revelations and visions daily occurred among the brethren, there was no little joy and expectation among us, hoping all would be true and fulfilled, for we were all unsuspecting, innocent, simple, without guile or cunning, and were not aware of any false visions, prophets and revelations. We supposed in our simplicity that if we guarded ourselves against the papists, Lutherans and Zwinglians, then all was well and we need have no cares. Thereby a man's experience brings him great wisdom.
False prophets who move outside of Scripture to manipulate people for their own ends are a problem in every generation.
Many Anabaptists were martyred in the most horrible ways, both by those inside and outside the church. It is written by Marpeck, an Anabaptist leader in central Germany that.....
tortures inflicted by sword, rope, fire and water and suffering terrible, tyrannical, unheard-of deaths and martyrdoms, all of which they could easily have avoided by recantation.
.....was the fate of many devout, Spirit filled believers.
THE ANABAPTIST LEGACY
Eddie L. Hyatt, succinctly sums up the Anabaptists legacy.....
The Anabaptist vision of the separation of the powers of the church and state became a foundational principle of modern Western society. Their rejection of force and coercion in matters of faith and their insistence on freedom of conscience have become hallmarks of freedom-loving people and nations throughout the world. George Williams, former professor of ecclesiastical history at Yale University, has said:
The whole Western world, not only the direct descendants of the Continental Anabaptists, not alone even the larger Protestant community, but all who cherish Western institutions and freedoms, must acknowledge their indebtedness to the valor and the vision of the Anabaptists who glimpsed afresh the disparities between the church and the world, even when the latter construed itself as Christian.
Direct descendants of the Anabaptists include the Amish, Hutterite and Mennonite churches. In addition, their free-church concept influenced Puritan Separatists, Baptists and Quakers. Even more important is their charismatic influence on succeeding generations.
Mennonite scholar John H. Yoder has said that Pentecostalism "is in our century the closest parallel to what Anabaptism was in the sixteenth." Anabaptism was certainly a Charismatic movement.
(Continued next week)
Find out more about us here.....
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Request From a Mother (Matthew 20:20-28, Mark10:35-45)
On behalf of her sons.
“So what do you want me to do for you?”
To sit beside Jesus on His throne.
You don’t know what you’re asking,” “Can you drink the cup I drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism of pain I will suffer?”
“You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the same baptism as me,” “But it’s not for me to grant who should sit on my right or on my left. These places are reserved for those for whom they have been prepared.”
Jesus now responds to all the disciples.
“You realize that those who claim to rule nations oppress their people. The rulers act like tyrants. But for you it’s not like this. Anyone of you who wants you to be a ruler must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be the slave of all of you For even the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Blind Men Receive Their Sight (Matthew 20:20-24, Mark10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43)
Including Bartimaeus.
“Tell him to come here.”
“What do you want me to do for you?”
“You can go. Your trust in me has healed you.”
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector ( Luke 19:1-10)
Climbed a tree to see Jesus.
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly! I need to stay at your house today.”
Zacchaeus repents.
“Today salvation has come to this house, because this man has shown he is a son of Abraham too. For The Son of man came to search for and save those who are lost.”
(Continued next week)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
Experience life here with us in Kenya.
Check out our website too.....
TWO WORLDS MEET
The contrast of the old with the new here in Kenya is so interesting to see.
No more so in the case of transportation. We have experiences deliveries by bullock cart delivering round 1/8 tonne of shingle.......
....... and a huge, Mercedes 22 wheeler tip truck delivering over 20 tonnes for the foundations of the hospital.....
Kenya - a land of contrasts and surprises.
THE EYE CLINIC/HOSPITAL
We are thrilled to advise that we have now signed the contract to erect the first building for our Clinic/Hospital.
This is a huge milestone in our prject's development.
We looked at the alternative of constructing ourselves using just lacal resources, but it became clear that if we wanted a quality building, an experienced contractor was required.
Having seen the difficulties he has had, just bringing rocks, shingle and sand for the foundation, I am pleased we did.
With the amount of materials going just into the foundation, the building will stand forever!
Of course, it is up to us to ensure that the hospital will function well, both now, and into the future, when we are no longer around.
We thank those who have prayed for us, and even more, the ones who have shown their commitment by contributing financially. While the building costs fall within our original budget of KES4,000,000 ($NZ60,000, $US40,000) for an 11x15m building, we have had to buy the land, which was unanticipated but gives the best security, plus we need to purchase equipment to make the Clinic operational.
Next week we will show you photos of the foiundations, God and weather willing, which is always the case in Africa where there are so many unexpected challenges!
(Photo shows, from the left, our host and mentor, David Walukhu, the Contractors, Jonah and Nathaniel, and Kathy, as we signed the contract.)
THE KENYAN PRESIDENTIAL REPEAT ELECTION
Itg now appears the repeat election will go ahead on 26 October.
Sadly the NASA Coalition opposition, who knows they will not win, are doing everything it can to prevent this happening, by endeavouring, with limited success to date, to cause mayhem through demonstrations.
Economically the country is at a standstill, and most people just want to get on with their normal lives.
The demonstrations have been relatively small, and limited to their strongholds of Mombassa, Nairobi and Kisumu to date. The country is not on fire, as the opposition desires, nor as portrayed by some sensationalist news media.
But, being Africa, there is some concern things will escalate if something unexpected happens.
Please do not worry. We are safe where we are living.
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be a charge in order to list.
Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
They are all found at this link.....
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+tait+books/
***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse. To register today, go down to the bottom of the page link below, click on the subscribe link dd-on@wwj.org.nz (or paste the address in an email yourself and send) Then it's done! If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring!
Subscription and back issue link is.....
'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
Download the free PDF here.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
1285. Progress Report: The cross. Satan super-confident. Next 3 days. Jesus fights back. The resurrection. Jesus emerges victorious!
1286. Without the resurrection, the cross would have been worthless.
1287. The resurrection proves the power of the blood.
1288. Through the resurrection, victory is plucked from the jaws of defeat.
1289. The resurrection is God's witness of the reality of eternal life.
1290. The cross redeems my past, the resurrection offers me future hope.
1292. The power of the cross is proven in the reality of the resurrection.
1293. Jesus progressed from the cross of suffering to the glory of resurrection. The pattern continues today!
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK:
The Bible is the ongoing story of both obedience and disobedience to God, and the resulting consequences for the participants, both good and bad.
Abraham is a classic example of both! Fortunately, he is primarily remembered for his obedience, through his willingness to sacrifice his most precious son Isaac, if that was his God's will.
Let's see what Abraham's actions are saying to us today.
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day. To register today, go down to the bottom of the page link below, click on the subscribe link lao--on@wwj.org.nz (or paste the address in an email yourself and send) Then it's done!
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
*** Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. ***
57. Earthly Wisdom
A Sunday school teacher was teaching her class about the difference between right and wrong.
"All right children, let's take another example," she said. "If I were to get into a man's pocket and take his billfold with all his money, what would I be?"
Little Johnny raises his hand, and with a confident smile, he blurts out, "You'd be his wife!"
58. Top Ten Signs You're in For a Long Sunday Sermon
10. There's a case of bottled water beside the pulpit in a cooler.
9. The pews have camper hook-ups.
8. You overhear the pastor telling the soundman to have a few (dozen!) extra tapes on hand to record today's sermon.
7. The preacher has brought a snack to the pulpit.
6. The preacher breaks for an intermission.
5. The bulletins have pizza delivery menus.
4. When the preacher asks the deacon to bring in his notes, he rolls in a filing cabinet.
3. The choir loft is furnished with La-Z-Boys.
2. Instead of taking off his watch and laying it on the pulpit,
the preacher turns up a four-foot hour-glass.
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN YOU'RE IN FOR A LONG SUNDAY SERMON
1. The minister says, "You'll be out in time to watch the super bowl" but it's only July!
QWIK QWIP: “Many go to their grave with their music still inside of them.”
A DAVID MUSING
The weather is a constant topic of conversation for us all, particularly those involved with farming, construction, or other outdoor activities.
Of course, farmers and construction contracters desire different weather!
That is the conundrum we face currently. Our horticultural activities are grateful for the rain while, over the fence, our hospital contracter wants it to be dry! Other than a miracle, one is going to be pleased and one not. So my 2 hats cannot easily become one!
(The photo shows a very large 35 tonne 'stuck truck', bringing stones for the foundation of the hospital. Took 2 hours to travel 20 metres!)
Life is very much like that too, isn't it. There are tradeoffs in so many things we do. If we spend extra time at work earning more money for our family, we cannot spend that time with them.
In God too, it is the same. We have to choose how much of ourselves we are willing to give. As in the Parable of the Sower, will we produce 30, 60 or 100 fold crop?
The choice is ours. But today God desires us to produce a 100 fold crop for Him.
Are you prepared to make the sacrifice of our life to His will for you?
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Visit us here.....
REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?
Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here atenquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.
Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.
LINKS
If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us onlinks@wwj.org.nz
ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God's people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ's return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord's direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "... so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz