Introduction
Good day great people of MCGI Care Community! I bring us greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus. I want to appreciate God for another opportunity to be alive and to witness the first day of the mass indoctrination program which was held few hours ago.
What I learnt
Today's program began with 30 minutes of wonderful worship songs by the mass choir, it was indeed a great section.
It was followed by an opening prayer which was led by Bro Daniel
Bro Daniel's Opening remarks
Bro Daniel began by telling us that we Christians are not expected to live outside the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He said our believe should not go beyond what is written in the Holy Scripture as captured in 1Corinthians 4:6 which says;
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
The book of Philippians 1:27 also warns against going beyond the Gospel of Christ as it says;
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
Bro Eli's Message
Bro Eli began by telling us that mass indoctrination program is all about the study of the doctrine and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Tim.6.3 - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness.
As believers we must understand that there are other doctrines that are not in line with what Jesus teaches and it's the duty of the believer to know and understand the true teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ so as not to fall victim of other teachings that are not from Him.
- We must equally know that the era we are in as Christians is the Era of Christ and not the Mosaic Era. Therefore God warns us in the book of Matthew 17:5 to listen to Jesus and Him alone. We were not admonished to listen to any prophet, teacher or Evangelist, but we were ask to listen to our Lord Jesus.
The easiest way to know the doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ is to listen to Him.
Matt.17.5 - While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
- Just as the early believers recognized Jesus as their only Teacher and Master, we must equally recognize Him the same way to be able to accept His teaching.
Jude.1.4 - For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
- There is a bad implications of listening to other teachings and doctrines that are not from our Lord as written in book of Mark 7:7-8
Mark.7.7 - Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 - For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Our worship would be in vain if we follow a different doctrine that is not the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Baptism
We were told that the doctrine of Christ are contain in the Bible and that we should not believe or accept anything that is not in the Bible.
Jesus before ascending to heaven left instructions to His disciples as written in Matthew 28:19-20;
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 - Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
We learnt that the first Doctrine of Jesus is Baptism. This was clearly spelt out in the life of Paul who was a persecutor of the Church of God before he gave His life to Christ.
Gal.1.13 - For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Immediately after Paul's conversion the first thing he was asked to do was Baptism as recorded in Acts 22:16;
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Receiving the Word
I also learnt that before Baptism is administered to someone the person must first receive the doctrine and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the instructions of Jesus to the Apostles in Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Jesus' Command was teach first before baptizing. In Act chapter 2:41, made it clear also
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The Church
I also learnt that Baptism is the formal act of joining the Church. It means that for you to be a member of the Church you must be Baptized.
So the sequence is;
- You first receive the doctrine and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ
- After that we can receive Baptism
- Then we become members of the Church.
Anti-Christ
We were equally warned against Anti-christ, those that are preaching that it is not important to join the Church this time.
Christ built the Church so that those who receives His doctrine and teachings and are Baptized can join, as written in Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
We were told that joining the Church of God is the will of God. That those that reject the Church of God are equally rejecting the word of God, and to reject the word of God is to reject Jesus Himself as written in John 12:48;
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
If we receive Christ and reject His word we are automatically rejecting Him. If claim to receive Christ we must equally receive His word and part of what He taught us was the Church
** If we say it's not necessary to join the Church then we are preaching against the doctrine of Christ because the Bible says in Ephesians 5:23 that Christ is the Head of the Church, anyone preaching against the Church is an Anti-Christ.
Even the Apostles preached about the Church of God in the following passages;
Acts.20.28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Eph.5.25 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Conclusion
Today's section was great with so many lessons, what I have here are too small to compare to what was taught, I want to encourage us to be Part of tomorrow section.
**I also learnt that God would display His manifold wisdom through His Church as Captured in Ephesians 3:20-11
10 - To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 - According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
God is really using this family to bless people.
We are inviting you to join the MCGI Cares (Hive) community that study the words of God and also earn some reward by making our reactions on it. We can check this link trending/hive-182074