The Seven Churches. Of the Allegheny East Conference. (Part I of III) (created by Elder Charles Cheatham. Please do not use without his permission)

Transcription

1 The Seven Churches Of the Allegheny East Conference (Part I of III) (created by Elder Charles Cheatham. Please do not use without his permission)

2 The Biblical Model The record declares, "He went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance." Not only Christ, but His disciples also, labored in the cities and villages; and those who had been in the truth longer than the new converts, ministered unto Him of their substance.--rh, Feb. 3, (Italics supplied.){dg 70.5}

3 The Biblical Model Among the believers to whom the commission was given were many from the humbler walks of life--men and women who had learned to love their Lord, and who had determined to follow His example of self-denying service. To these lowly ones of but limited talent, as well as to the disciples who had been with the Saviour during the years of His earthly ministry, was the commission given to go "into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." These humble followers of Jesus shared with the apostles their Lord's comforting assurance, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."--rh, Mar. 24, 1910.{DG 70.6, 71}

4 The Jesus Model } To All Classes.--Men and women in the highways and byways are to be reached. We read of Christ's labors: "Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." Just such a work as this is to be done in our cities and villages, in the highways and hedges. The gospel of the third angel's message is to be carried to all classes.-- Manuscript 7, {Ev 46.5, 47

5 Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, "Follow Me."--The Ministry of Healing, p {ChS 119.3}

6 He passed the torch to His Disciples and Apostles I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day," writes the prophet of Patmos, "and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

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8 An Analogy I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day," writes the prophet of Patmos, "and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Allegheny East Conference; unto Virginia Area, and unto Bay Area, and unto Northern NJ Area, and unto Washington Metro Area, and unto Baltimore Extended Area, and unto Delaware Valley Area, and unto the Conference Church.

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10 The Secret of Paul's Power and Success. On one occasion Paul said: "Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house."... {WM 62.1}

11 The Twelve Sent Forth in House-to-House Labor. On this first tour the disciples were to go only where Jesus had been before them and had made friends.... Nothing must be allowed to divert their minds from their great work or in any way excite opposition and close the door for further labor.

12 They were not to adopt the dress of the religious teachers, nor use any guise in apparel to distinguish them from the humble peasants.

13 They were not to enter into the synagogues and call the people together for public service; their efforts were to be put forth in house-to-house labor....

14 They were to enter the dwelling with the beautiful salutation, "Peace be to this house." That home would be blessed by their prayers, their songs of praise, and the opening of the Scriptures in the family circle.-- The Desire of Ages, pp. 351, 352. {WM 61.1}

15 Northern NJ

16 Washington Metro

17 Baltimore Extended Area

18 Delaware Valley

19 Bay Area

20 Virginia /WV

21 Conference Church

22 Every Church Member to Help Fulfill the Gospel Commission. The work of God is aggressive. No one can stand in a neutral position and yet be a soldier in the Lord's army. God has commands for His people, and if they keep in close connection with Him, they will hear His voice and will keep in step with their Captain.

23 The church as a whole is responsible for the fulfillment of the sacred commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," to those in the highways and those in the hedges. Every member of the church is held accountable in Christ's work. Every power of those who have come to a knowledge of the truth is to be enlisted. Reach to the heights; reach to the depths; there is no boundary. Everyone is to hear. Everyone is to receive light and truth, and transmit it to others. We are not half awake.--ms 29, 1890, pp. 2, 10. (Diary entry.)

24 The workers should go forth two by two, that they may pray and consult together. Never should they be sent out alone. The Lord Jesus Christ sent forth His disciples two and two into all the cities of Israel. He gave them the commission, "Heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." {MM 249.2} We are instructed in the word of God that an evangelist is a teacher. But all are not given the same work. "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."...

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