Fall 1991

The Ecclesia of God
Edited from an article by
Seeley D. Kinne.

The Church is for the glory of God; that is, to set forth and discover to the world the glorious things which God would do for man. This glory is also to be discovered to angels and heavenly beings, both now and in the future. The Church is God's repository, the storehouse of His heavenly treasure. Therefore, no earthly institution run by man can obtain this heavenly treasure.

This Spirit filled and controlled Body, operating in this world, is The Church. No other body but one functioning in the Spirit can properly be called The Church. The Church is not founded on doctrine, but on the living Jesus Christ. The conduct of the Church is not by the wisdom of man, but by the power of God.

Controversy, discussion, division, and sectarianism, are not of the Church of Jesus Christ, but are an intrusion. Man has no right to say what shall be done in the Church, except he be told by the Spirit in each particular.

Dis-fellowshipping one for doctrinal differences (other than heresy) is of the flesh. Doctrinal differences arise from man's judgment, and not from the Spirit of God, for God is love, and there is an attraction in Jesus Christ which draws men together. The closer one is drawn to Jesus, the greater the attraction toward Him. Therefore, if God's children draw closer to Jesus they must of necessity be closer to each other.

Jesus, as the Center Magnet, draws everything spiritual to Himself. The more spiritual one becomes, the more the attraction toward Jesus. So the more spiritual one is, the more will his heart burn with love for his brethren, and be drawn to them.

Government is authority, the power and ability to control. Government in God's Church is by Jesus Christ through His Spirit. Church government by man is an intrusion, and is by man's will and power. It is wholly different from government of God.

In the Church of Jesus Christ, government is a gift of the Spirit. It is not merely a once for all delegated authority, but a flow of the Spirit into man, making him master of the situation, in the Spirit. It has in it none of the elements of human lordship, willfulness, high mindedness, independence, and self-assertion, in its characteristics.

Divine government is a protection gift. It is like the spirit of the shepherd, whose crook and staff guide, control, and watch over His sheep. It is from God; therefore, there can be no element of selfishness or lordship therein, but pure love and justice. All gifts and operations of the Spirit are under its sway. It holds all in order and protects from confusion.

Overseers must, in truth, be under Divine government themselves in order to control, in God, by Divine government. The Word can never flourish otherwise.

As the shepherd has a dog to watch his sheep, so God has a "discerner" to watch His sheep. This discerning, or divine knowledge may be in th overseer, and in others in the flock. It may be a large gift or a limited one. All gifts usually begin in a small way, and grow and develop under proper care and training. The realm of the gifts is so delicate, and so sensitive in its workings that there is a large danger to the careless, or self-confident.

The perfecting of the saints through the working of the Spirit in gifts needs much guidance by those who themselves have been taught in the school of Christ. The time has come when these things must come forth; or God will now set up His Church in supernatural operation.

We may not therefore draw back from these appointed things of God, for they lie across the path of spiritual advancement, which God has marked out for us. If we shall approach these things with the boldness of faith, and yet in fear and trembling with reverence and humility, we may confidently expect large liberty in the Lord, with a mighty moving of the Spirit of God.