I do believe that you would be hard pressed trying to find a true follower of Jesus Christ in our time that is not thankful that the protestant reformation occurred. For without it we would all be deeper in the clutches of Dark Age religious tyranny. We would not have a Bible in our own language, we wouldn’t know that we have direct access to God and we would still be trying to buy our way into heaven, not to mention whipping ourself to try to please Him. Yet much of the church of their time stood vehemently against the reformers.
There were a few people who asked if I had this in written form rather than just audio/video. So, after prayerfully pondering the laborious task, I felt the Lord wanted me to do so. This is such an important subject for the church because when we get this stuff wrong it causes a world of hurt to many… not to mention the dishonour to the Lord.
I’m glad I did write this and not just settle for the videos, as writting allows you to be more succinct and also gives more time to meditate as you minister. I think I received even more clarity while writing this than I had before.
One of the greatest strongholds of Dark Age Christendom in the church which has continually resisted the Lord is the pragmatically perpetrated Pastorate. It has survived every revival and reformation despite its extra-biblical foundation and justification.
Fortunately though, God is not going to wink at it any longer without promting serious scrutiny from the church body. He is gracing His church with greater clarity and more biblical revelation than in any age before; though many are slow to hear.
It is time we examine the New Testament for a truer picture of pastoral ministry instead of clinging to the strongholds of religion which continue to uphold hierarchical structures and Clerical positions at the expense of real Holy Spirit ministry.
One of the greatest strongholds of Dark Age Christendom in the church which has continually resisted the Lord is the pragmatically perpetrated Pastorate. It has survived every revival and reformation despite its extra-biblical foundation and justification.
Fortunately though, God is not going to wink at it any longer without promting serious scrutiny from the church body. He is gracing His church with greater clarity and more biblical revelation than in any age before; though many are slow to hear.
It is time we examine the New Testament for a truer picture of pastoral ministry instead of clinging to the strongholds of religion which continue to uphold hierarchical structures and Clerical positions at the expense of real Holy Spirit ministry.
This short, seven part video series looks at a number of scriptures which show that we are not supposed to participate in earthly, sensual religion. We are surely called to submit to the royal reign of Christ in His celestial Kingdom right now in this life. Be liberated as you ponder and then apply what the Word says about being a Christ-follower and a kingdom of heaven dweller.
Part 6 - One congregation
Part 7 - Refreshed in the river- The sustenance of the Spirit
Duplication and embedding of these videos is permitted as long as they are complete and a link to www.christisall.org is included.
A short video/audio teaching series by Brett Jacobsen
A couple of years ago I did this brief five part video/audio series on current reformational issues for a good friend’s Jesus focused surf video (Resistance Is Futile). Although this series is only short, it does give a general overview of the current reformation and is enough to get church people thinking.
No Such Thing as a Church
Part 1- ‘No Such Thing as a Church’ shows that what many have and do call churches are in fact not.
Man Made Mayhem
Part 2- ‘Man Made Mayhem’ shows in history when and why the church dived headlong into the Dark Ages and has produced, even until our time, Dark Age Christianity.
This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [zerowa- strength], and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)
This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [zerowa- strength], and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)
Church constructs- Cathedrals and Owned organisations
by Brett Jacobsen
This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [zerowa- strength], and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)
Programmes- Sterile services and Flamboyant events
By Brett Jacobsen
This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [zerowa- strength], and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)
I resonate with many of Roger’s points in this article. Many who have come out of “traditional churches” have a hard time not becoming a mini-me of the very thing they thought they'd left behind. (It seems that no-one is exempt from this paradigm struggle). It is not enough to switch venues for church, we must move forward by the Spirit as He teaches us how to be the church rather than going there (even if it is in a house). If we learn, by the Spirit, to live the Kingdom of God all day every day, we don’t need event evangelism, nor do we need exciting meetings (even in homes). We will be living by the Spirit in everyday life, as well as when we gather together to break bread.
Today I’d like to share some things with you, on the subject of Intentional Gatherings.
I love that word - “Intentional.” It has a ring to it that bears witness with something very deep within my spirit. It is a term that is moving among the body of those who have come out of the traditional Church, so it’s not unique with me, but it says something very important. For me there is a “knowing” that it is a God thing, a “deep that calls to deep” formation within me.
For as far back as I can remember the Lord has been unveiling the competition He experiences with those things that oppose Him, and the story of my life is a journey from one exposure to another exposure of the religious systems that compete for centrality of life focus.
Let me make this as simple as I know how to. Either Jesus is going to be the focus of our lives or religious systems are, but you are never going to find a religious system that maintains the focus on Jesus He is due.
We have now reduced the price of Heaven's Underground Blueprint to what it costs to print (plus freight and tax) because we feel the Lord would have us do so. Although I wouldn’t condemn people who do make a profit from their book sales, I am not comfortable with doing it myself. So, you can now purchase the book for cost price no mater which country you’re from, but the freight is on you. You can also get the e-book version for free if you like. Of course we are open to donations towards the ministry from people who purchase the book (or get it free), but there is no compulsion. If you would like to read the introduction and back cover of Heaven's Underground Blueprint, and/or obtain a copy, click here- http://www.christisall.org/hub-book
An excerpt from Chapter 9 in David Orton's book, "Snakes in the Temple: Unmasking Idolatry in Today's Church"
Part 4 of 6
by David Orton
Confusion of terms - Elders, Bishops, and Pastors
Consequently, the Western church’s traditionally inherited structures have confused three important terms: elders, bishops, and pastors. Traditionally, they have been seen as three distinct layers of church office: the bishop originally presiding over one congregation but in time over many, and, therefore the pastor of each congregation, who in turn presided over the elders. It is important to note that Paul in his address to the Ephesian elders used all three terms inter-changeably, for one category of person. In verse 17 of Acts chapter 20 he called the presbuterous or ‘elders’ of the church to meet with him. In verse 28 he also referred to them as episkopos - as ‘overseers’ (NIV, NASV) or ‘bishops’ (NKJV, NRSV), reminding them that it was the Holy Spirit who placed them in this role. And in the same verse he exhorts them to poimainein (to feed and rule) or ‘shepherd’ (NASV, NRSV) the flock, which is the verb form of poimen, translated ‘pastor’ in Ephesians 4:11.
There are many prophetic shadows in the Bible which display what God has done and will do in the New Covenant season of His Kingdom. One such biblical illustration of the current transition from old wineskins to new, from flesh to faith, from Christendom to Christ, is the relocation from Sinai to Sion. This shift from mountain to mountain: from kingdom to kingdom, is very instructive for all those who wish to live “in Christ”.
Which Mountain?
The writer of Hebrews has done a great service to the Kingdom of Christ in drawing a bold line between the carnal kingdom and Christ’s:
Brett Jacobsen's book Heaven's Underground Blueprint is now available. The book has a twofold thrust: it is a prophetic work that paralells church history with Old Testament Israel, presenting insight into current happenings and great hope for the future. It also is instructive in the current reformation of the church into underground community. Some of the main topics covered are: How the church spiralled down into the Dark Ages (and largely remains there), How God is changing the guard of church leadership, How to do New Testament community, What is New Testament leadership instead of hierarchical humanism, Biblical unity rather than ecumenical compromise, God's proccess of reformation, de-construction or destruction, Promised Land Christianity, Reformation of eschatology, and more.
In virtually every city where I’ve spoken, I have been asked the question, “Frank, do you believe in ‘the five-fold ministry?’ And do you believe that God is restoring ‘the five-fold ministry’ mentioned in Ephesians Chapter 4?”
In this article, I would like to answer that question.
My answer is largely hinged on what one means by “the five-fold ministry.” That is, what “five-fold ministry” are we talking about? Are we talking about the 200-year old doctrine of the restoration of “the five-fold ministry?” Or are we talking about the ascension gifts that Paul had in mind when he penned Ephesians 4:9-16?
If you can stand it, I would like to ask you all one more time to look at the Lord's Supper through the lens of the New Testament and see if you would not agree with me that this may be one of the biggest blind spots for the church around the world in the last 2000 years!
It's a supper, stupid!
First and foremost, if you look at all the texts that describe what we now practice and call "The Lord's Supper", you will notice that it was in the context of Jesus and His disciples sharing the Passover meal together.
Mtt. 26:26 And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples.
Brett Jacobsen's book Heaven's Underground Blueprint is now available. The book has a twofold thrust: it is a prophetic work that paralells church history with Old Testament Israel, presenting insight into current happenings and great hope for the future. It also is instructive in the current reformation of the church into underground community. Some of the main topics covered are: How the church spiralled down into the Dark Ages (and largely remains there), How God is changing the guard of church leadership, How to do New Testament community, What is New Testament leadership instead of hierarchical humanism, Biblical unity rather than ecumenical compromise, God's proccess of reformation, de-construction or destruction, Promised Land Christianity, Reformation of eschatology, and more.
