Jesus' CHURCH was never, isn't, and never will be a "Visible Religio/Political organization". It's ALWAYS BEEN "just People" who are Born Again of the Holy Spirit and motivated by Him - regardless to the "Label" on the sign out front.
The Assemblies of God, like ALL "visible churches is a mixture of "Wheat" (Born Again and Spirit Filled PEOPLE), and Tares (religious, and generally GOOD people, who are not born again, and have no idea what that even means. I've been Southern Baptist, American Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ (Campbellite), United Church of Christ, and several varieties of independent Charismatic over the last 59 years, the greater proportion of which I've been Assembly of God. I saw God move in power, IN ALL of them.
The AoG is O.K. for the most part, and a good place to settle in (except for the "Contemporary soft rock music" they all play now).
Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Apostolic authority!
God sent them apostles to teach them the truth revealed by Christ!
Philip an apostle acts 8
Peter an apostle acts 10
Jn 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Acts 22:15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
There is a big difference between the people, and the priesthood of Christ and the apostles!
Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.
Matt 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Jn 20:21 as the father sent me, I send you. And Jn 17:18 I send you!
(The apostles with the same mission, power, and authority)
The apostles received the kingdom.
Lk 22:29
The apostles administer the kingdom. Matt 16:18-19 & 18:18
The apostles govern the church.
Matt 28:19-20
The apostles hold office.
Acts 1:15-20
The apostles have authority to forgive sins. Jn 20:23
Apostles are the light of the world!
The church is an extension of Christ in time and space. Matt 5:14
The apostles are Christ’s successors!
They have authority to send others as well, apostle means one who is sent!
Therefore the apostles have authority to send more apostles or successors!
Apostolic succession!
The nations still need to be taught, disciples still need to be baptized and the church the new covenant kingdom of christ still needs to be governed!
Three fold ministry,
Teaching:
Sanctification:
Governing:
Keys of authority! And power to bind and loose! Matt 16:18 and Matt 18:18 matt 28:19 Isa 22:21-22
Moral authority:
(Teaching)
Necessity of being taught by Christ:
Two edge sword: defining truth and condemning errors, and Interpreting scripture.
Jurisdictional authority:
(Governing / administering)
Necessity of Peter and the apostles and their successors to govern the holy church.
Spiritual authority:
(Life of Grace)
Sanctifying thru the mass and Sacraments
God established order and peace and knowledge of truth in a hierarchical authority of Peter and the apostles!
There is a hierarchical authority in all that God has ordained!
The angelic kingdom!
The civil kingdom!
The church kingdom!
The family!
All are ordered with hierarchical and jurisdictional authority!
There CANNOT be both!
Either Apostolic tradition in hierarchical authority which establishes truth, peace and order!
Or
Spiritual anarchy producing chaos and disorder!
Prophecy of the new covenant and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (The new covenant church) Jn 15:1-5
Dan 2: 44 And in the days of these kings (Roman Caesars) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Isaiah 2:2
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Micah 4:1
But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
Daniel 7:18
But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Lk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Lk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
