COMMENTARY

Don Atkin

THE NEED FOR REFORMATION

This Commentary was provoked by the following two quotes by Wolfgang Simson:

Most Evangelical (includes Pentecostal/Charismatic) churches are molded after Protestant/Lutheran/Reformed churches that, in turn, are patterned after the Roman Catholic Church system, a highly program-based, event-driven and priest-centered pattern.

Many have changed their religious affiliations, but life itself - and society - remains remarkably unchanged.

We don’t need to change churches. We need for the church to be changed!

It is not enough for apostles to attach themselves to existing old wineskins by "a velcro patch!" True apostles are building men and imparting kingdom vision. They are not building empires and fortunes.

Apostles are to be given to the reformation of the church to the divine pattern. Authentic master builders are graced with a prophetic revelation of the divine pattern for the body of Christ that is neither program-based, event-driven, nor pastor-centered.

The divine pattern was demonstrated by Jesus’ earthly ministry, and then demanded by His Great Commission to disciple the nations. It is one thing to be born into the kingdom, and another to live out the kingdom. The transitional process making this possible is called "discipleship."

As the saints learn to walk in the Spirit by following the guidance and example of their divinely appointed servant-leaders, they find their place among the priesthood of all believers, they manifest the life of Christ, and live a lifestyle that changes society.

"I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." - Jesus

We don’t need to build the church; we need to be the church! We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We are to learn to be led by the Spirit as sons of God. We are being changed from glory to glory into the image of Christ.

All of creation eagerly awaits the revealing of the sons of God, who will be His agents for the taking of cities and the transforming of societies.