The Ekklesia_Part 1

There are 7 primary factors or categories that influence how a congregation functions. Of course this list is not all-encompassing, but generally speaking, additional aspects or points can likely be included in one of these 7 categories. 1. The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ a. Everything Jesus explicitly commanded b. Everything he implicitly taught c. Everything he modeled in his own life and actions d. #1 is most important. If you don't get anything else, get this! "I am the way, the truth, and the life." 2. What is explicitly taught in scripture a. The doctrines of the ekklesia 3. What is implicitly taught in scripture a. The scriptures help us condition our minds so that we can serve Christ acceptably 4. What God has written in our hearts a. Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 5. What is revealed by the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit and prompted by the Holy Spirit a. Number 4 and number 5 help us actually do number 1. 6. Everything else that complements or conforms to or promotes the first 5 points a. The beneficial traditions, customs, and habits b. These are not doctrinal points c. These are not hills to die on d. These are the things we need to be willing to let go of in an instant if they interfere with any of the first 5 things. 7. Everything else a. All the religious stuff. All the cultural stuff.