Body Life

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003399" TEXT="#080000" background="040c8c00erkjxk.jpg"> <div> <B>By His Grace and For His Glory!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.</B></div> <div> <B>Ephesians 4:15-16</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="148f8480.jpg" border=0 width="504" height="72" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#00FFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> </div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Restoration Ministries"><U><B>Home</B></U></A><B> | </B><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meetings"><U><B>Meetings</B></U></A><B> | </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U><B>About Us</B></U></A><B> | </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U><B>Contact Us</B></U></A><B> | </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bible Light"><U><B>Bible Light</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Articles"><U><B>Articles</B></U></A><B> | </B><A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="End Times Forum"><U><B>End Times Forum</B></U></A><B> | </B><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Voices from the Past"><U><B>Voices from the Past</B></U></A><B> | </B><A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Great Links"><U><B>Great Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Body Life</U></B></div> <bR> <div> The articles and meditations in this link are devoted to exploring the issue of "body life" or life in the assembly of believers.  This, we believe, deserves its own link since it seems to be a much-ignored subject these days.  If you have any comments (even disagreements) please feel free to e-mail them to <A HREF="mailto:RestorationGJ@peoplepc.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:RestorationGJ@peoplepc.com"><U>Timothy King</U></A>.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Valori Farrell</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id206.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Farrell Just God"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Just God and Me?</B></U></A><B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Some thought-provoking ideas on God's plan for His body.  Was God's plan an individualistic relationship with Him, or something else?</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Sam Frost</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Can Different Eschatologies Get Along?"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Can Different Eschatologies Get Along?</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>This is an excerpt from Sam Frost's studies on the Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat.  Can Christians differ in the coming of Christ and still get along?</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Alan Jamieson</U></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reality.org.nz/articles/33/33-jamieson.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reality.org.nz/articles/33/33"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">A Churchless Faith</B></U></A><B> </B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>The author interviews 108 people who had left the institutional church.  Here are the results of his findings and his own analysis.  This article is from "Reality Magazine."</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Timothy King</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Love as Our Supreme Standard"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">God’s Love as Our Supreme Standard</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>What's the difference between someone who says they love their Christian brothers and one who really does?  We must look to God's love for us to define how we are to love one another.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id211.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="King Glory Grace"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">On Glory and Unity</B></U></A><B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>These are some thoughts on the connection between glory and unity, themes found in Jesus' priestly prayer of John 17.  The notes are from our weekly Restoration Ministry gatherings.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id199.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="King Paul Barnabas"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Paul, Barnabas and the Unity of Believers</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>The "split" between Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15:36-41 has always been portrayed as hostile.  But if we examine the text more closely, does the conflict have to be one of strife?</B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>Jon Zens</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id216.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Are We Eating with the Right People?</B></U></A><B>   </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Jon exhorts us to break out of our churchy shells and seek out those who may challenge our sense of propriety.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Plea For A Berean Spirit"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">A Plea for a Berean Spirit</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>What blocks the church from having a deeper understanding of God's word?  Perhaps it's an attitude that would rather cling to traditions than examine God's word together.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.searchingtogether.org/articles/zens/bodybldg.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.searchingtogether.org/article"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Building Up the Body: One Man or One Another?</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Is the body of Christ meant to grow spiritually by the ministry of one professional (or staff), or is ot to be built up by each member?</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Churches Seeking Truth as Communities of"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Churches Seeking Truth as Communities of Faith</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Rather than churches using truth to attack one another, we need a paradigm where churches see truth as their common goal and will work together to understand God's truth.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.searchingtogether.org/articles/clergylaity.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.searchingtogether.org/article"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The Clergy/Laity Distinction: A Help or Hindrance to the Body of Christ?</B></U></A>  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Is the body of Christ best served by a "professional" clergy leading and teaching the people?  Jon encourages us to think of a different paradigm.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id215.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Comments on "A Churchless Faith"</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Jon reflects on an article commenting on the vast droves of people leaving the institutional church.  Leaving the institutional church means nothing if it's not replaced by genuine "ekklesia" life.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Compassionate Discipleship"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Compassionate Discipleship</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>In the midst of a world frustrated and at its wit's end, what is a quality needed by the church today that could bring light in darkness?  We need a revival of spiritual compassion.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Double Deliverance Under the New Covenan"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Double Deliverance Under the New Covenant</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Delivered from sin by Christ?  Yes, but we too often stop there and not realize that we are also delivered from the "elements of the world" so that we are free to serve one another.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id205.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Zens Each According"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Each According to His Own Abilities</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Subtitled "Principles of New Covenant Giving."  Jon examines the concept of giving and tithing under the New Covenant.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Practice Christian Love"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Encouragements to Practice Christian Love</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>  The full title is "Several Propositions Set Forth as Encouragements to Practice Christian Love in Local Churches"  Simple but needful reminders for every church.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lets Grow Up ....Together!"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Let's Grow Up . . . Together!</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>What hinders Christians from growing up into maturity in Christ?  There are a number of factors to be considered before the church will quit "acting like children."</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Letter To A Church Leader"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Letter To A Church Leader</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>  In modern church life, do we cling to church traditions or obey God's word?  This letter challenges some of our commonly accepted church practices such as the pastor, the sermon and the church building.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id163.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Zens Women"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">A Look at Women in the History of Redemption</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>  Has the modern church been ignoring half the priesthood?  Jon examines the Scripture on the suject of women in the New Covenant.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sticking it out with Fellow Disciples"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Sticking it Out with Fellow Disciples</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>I</B><B>f the church is not bonded together in the gospel in an accepting atmosphere where doctrine and practice can be worked out in humility as a body, we won't get anywhere!</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id137.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="When Has Authority"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">When Has Authority Gone Too Far?</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>When does a church and its leadership slide from having godly, biblical leadership to becoming an authoritarian cult?  </B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id202.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Zens Exalt Preacher"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Where Does God Exalt the Office of "Preacher"?</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Is there biblical warrant for setting one man or ministry above the rest?  Or has this practice been more detrimental to the body of Christ?</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Will Diversity Confuse the Sheep?"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Will Diversity Confuse the Sheep?</B></U></A><B>  </B></FONT><B>Can a church survive if members are allowed to question the doctrinal </B><I><B>status quo</B></I><B> and present a diversity of ideas beyond what is traditionally accepted?</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Worthy Walk: Corporate or Individual"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The Worthy Walk: Individualistic or Corporate?</B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>America is the home of "rugged individualism."  But is that the way it should be in the church?  We need a view that honors our uniqueness while saying, "We need each other!"</B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>