by T. Austin-Sparks

A Message to Younger Christians

"I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus". (Galatians 6:17.)

The marks of Jesus; whether these were actually marks on his body, scars of his sufferings, or whether he was using a figure, a well-known figure of speech, we may not be quite sure. It is possible that Paul meant both; that is that there were marks on his body, marks of the rod with which he had been beaten, marks of stones with which he had been stoned, marks of the hardships through which he had passed, and then, looking at them, he thought of them in the light of the brand. You know what the brand is. Animals are branded, branded with hot irons. And he looked at those scars and thought of them as brands. But it does not matter very much which it was. It was quite true that Paul bore branded in his very being the marks of Jesus. It is that that matters - that there shall be the marks of Jesus.

by Thomas Hohstadt

A terrible virus has spread through today’s church—the cold sickness of a faith that simply "thinks"—a "thinking-man’s" religion. Mere words, hard facts, and the trivial surface of language hardly suffice in a world of deeper realities. So it’s no surprise that today’s "spiritual leaders" seldom claim "spiritual awareness." They fly blind in the Spirit, yet still expect changes in the "flesh." Indeed,

The spiritual and social implications of Pentecost, which define the relationship of the human spirit to the Holy Spirit, have yet to be explored for the age in which we live.1

So today’s faith is more passive than empowered, more anemic than energized. It’s more an inert mass of doctrines—a group of dormant ideas—a collection of lethargic labels than anything else. As a result, its Milquetoast believers pretend beliefs they don’t even have.

by T. Austin-Sparks

“It pleased God… to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him” (Gal.1:15,16)

1. Everything Tested by Inwardness

by Brett Jacobsen

 This article is an excerpt from the author's book Heaven's Underground Blueprint which is available here - http://www.christisall.org/hub-book.

Quite recently, I have done a back-flip with my end-times theological stance. This eschatological repentance is no minor detail in God’s grand scheme of things, as it aligns with our prophetic future and dovetails the current reformation. The reason that this postmillennial/preterist doctrine is so important is that, unlike pre-millennialism with its pre, mid and post raptures, it aligns with the biblical timeline for history and provides real hope for the kingdom. This is in stark contrast to the pessimistic eschatology that many modern saints hold to. As I am only relatively new to the largely suppressed, yet wonderfully bible-based world of postmillennial/preterist eschatology, I will give just an appetiser in this book. I must add that I don’t agree with everything that postmillennialists teach, just as I would expect nobody to agree outright with all that I say.

by Brett Jacobsen

This small article is an excerpt from the author's book Heaven's Underground Blueprint which is available here - http://www.christisall.org/hub-book.

The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of progressive increase, beginning with Christ the seed and consummating in the matured victorious body. Isaiah spoke of Christ’s Kingdom in this manner:

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government [misrah – empire] and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever [owlam – eternity, perpetual]. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Is 9:6-7)

by George Davis

Someone defined salvation as "salvation from self." If we carefully consider this statement in the light of scripture, we can do no less than prove it true.

by T. Austin-Sparks

We realize, with intense sorrow of heart, that all is not well with that which ostensibly represents the Lord here… and that there is a state of things widely prevailing which does not truly accord with the revealed desire of God.

We live in a time of more than usual dearth spiritually - the state of things may well remind us of Ezekiel's valley of dry bones. We have not merely to cope with evils which have characterized bygone ages, but also with the matured corruption of a time wherein the varied evils of the Gentile world have become connected with, and covered by, the cloak of Christian profession; and when we turn to the state of those whose knowledge of truth and high profession might naturally encourage the expectation of more healthy and vigorous Christian action, we find, alas! in many - yea, in the majority of cases - that the knowledge is but cold and uninfluential theory… and the profession but superficial.

by Brett Jacobsen

This small article is an excerpt from the author's book Heaven's Underground Blueprint which is available here - http://www.christisall.org/hub-book.

There is a spiritual principle in operation throughout every aspect of the Kingdom of God, from the personal to the corporate, from the least to the greatest; it is the ‘seed to cedar’ principle. We have previously observed how “the kingdom of God, [is] as if a man should cast seed into the ground; […] and the seed should spring and grow up” (Mark 4:26-27). This principle not only applies to personal lives, but also to the overall Kingdom of God as it is outworked in history. Yes, the early church presented a fairly thorough demonstration of the kingdom, and many moves of God since that time have restored certain spiritual elements, possibly in a more broad and potent application. However, the end of the ages will surely manifest the fuller exhibition; the proverbial cedar compared with the earlier seed. Jesus said: 

by David Orton

 
“…And he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel…”
 
Jer 48:11

by Thomas Hohstadt

Most would-be futurists cling to the "Holy Grail" of postmodernism. They blindly adhere to every novelty of this philosophical fad. In fact, the very definition of the "emerging church" includes this philosophy—or, what many now consider, this failed philosophy.

No doubt, something needs to challenge the harmful excess of modern thinking. Something needs to question the manipulating self-interests of our small worlds. Something needs to expose the distortion of our rhetoric, the slant on our slang, the leanings of our lingo. And, something needs to refuse the arrogance of our "God in a box."

But, with too many gullible postmodernists, "One enormously precious baby was tossed with tons of unpleasant bathwater."1

by T. Austin-Sparks

If we go on with God, the Cross leads us immediately to the House of God. The Cross opens the way to the House of God, and the House of God depends for its full meaning upon whether the Cross has done its work.

A great many people think that the Church, the House of God - or whatever you may term it - is a doctrine, a part of a system of Christian truth. Have you thought that? Well, let me say that you are wrong. What is the House of God? We may first name a number of things which it is not.

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.

Chat 1. Testimonies from the journey

The ‘Discussions along the way’ posts are to provoke dialogue between those who are walking a similar path: one that embraces a fuller reformation of heart and structure. Please post your thoughts and interact with others via the comments option at the bottom. All comments must be presented in a loving manner or they will be deleted.

For the first post of ‘Discussions along the way’ I thought we should keep it both simple and encouraging. This is why I’ve called it ‘Testimonies from the Journey’. I will usually post a brief article on a certain topic which will simply be enough of a thought to provoke further dialogue on the matter. This time though, I would like to hear some uplifting testimonies from people who have been moving with God on a reformational journey from crumbling Christendom further into the heavenly Kingdom of Christ. So please leave a response, even if it’s only brief. Perhaps you could tell us how God has bent, stretched, fixed, reformed, revived, matured you, or something along those lines.

by Edwin Hatch

(The following is an excerpt from a book by Edwin Hatch [1888]. Thanks to Jon Zens for connecting me to this great author. What I found very helpful was to realize that the troubles with "church-as-we-know-it" did not start with Constantine but can be traced back even earlier, to the 2nd Century.) - Jeff Gilbertson

It is impossible for any one, whether he be a student of history or no, to fail to notice the difference and contrast between the Sermon on the Mount and the Nicene Creed.

- It’s Christendom that Makes Me Cringe

by Brett Jacobsen

It has been the assumption of some that people, like myself (ones who have left behind Christianity’s crumbling institutions), “hate the church”. In fact, any who venture out from the status quo of contemporary Christendom are usually alleged to be church hating heretics by those who remain planted on the pews… or parading in the pulpits. Then we have the crazy Christians who are called and graced to speak biblically and prophetically into the church as God, “according to His eternal purpose,” reveals, reforms, and subsequently revives THE church in order to reflect His glory. These apostolic “antagonists” and prophetic “perpetrators” are more often than not categorised as trouble makers and rebellious, loveless thugs, despite the fact that they are usually motivated by “Love” Himself (1 John 4:8, 16).

by Frank Viola

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?

The Five-Fold Ministry: The History of a Doctrine

by Brett Jacobsen

This small article is an excerpt from the author's book Heaven's Underground Blueprint which is available here - http://www.christisall.org/hub-book. 

One of the reasons the body of Christ is still wandering in the desert is that we have settled for the best the desert has to offer. Instead we should believe for God’s absolute fullness in the earth and align ourselves in obedience no matter what the cost.

With no disrespect intended at all, I must make a statement concerning all the fine men and women of God who have ministered in His power throughout church history thus far as well as the great moves of His Spirit. These, for the most part, have been a great blessing to both God and man. However, they are prophetically typified by the provisional miracles in the Sinai desert. So in God’s economy they are merely, PROVISION IN THE WILDERNESS – not the Promised Land, and therefore not the fullness of Christ.

by David Orton

"These were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was banished from the presence of Saul … warriors who helped him in battle."
1 Chronicles 12:1

Before every historic visitation of the Spirit God has sent forerunners.

John the Baptist set the pattern. As a voice crying in the wilderness he prepared the way for the ministry
of Christ.

Likewise, John Wycliffe, the ‘morningstar of the Reformation’, blazed the trail for Martin Luther. Frank
Bartleman, as a prophetic intercessor, for William Seymour and the Azuza Street outpouring. The Latter
Rain and Healing Revivals of the late 1940’s prepared the way for the Charismatic Renewal of the 1960’s
and 70’s.

by Jeff Gilbertson

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.

by Frank Viola

My friends Andrew Jones and Brian McLaren have written about something they call “deep ecclesiology.” This phrase appears to be derived from Noam Chomsky’s linguistic theory of “deep semantics.” Chomsky said that underlying the “surface structures” of the statements we make there lies a deeper and simpler structure that is ingrained in the human capacity for language.

Andrew and Brian have said that in a similar way there lies underneath our varying models of church a basic underlying reality that is manifested in our historical and social settings. This notion has been coined “deep ecclesiology.”

I resonate wholeheartedly with the concept that there is a reality of the church that is higher and deeper than what typically occurs in many modern church structures. To wit, a “deeper” ecclesiology.