Working
in the field implies that the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, is going
to the real natural environment rather than in a theoretical way, or controlled
pulpit conditions for evangelism. In this era, many have taken to the internet
hoping to promote the gospel of Christ or to promote self and their ministries.
For instance, in SCOAN the prayer line service, the work being done by
Emmanuel.tv and Partners, conducting National and International Crusades, going
from home to home giving and preaching, living out the spirit-filled
Christ-like life amongst the population, are some examples indicating that TB
Joshua Ministries are working on the field. Every Christian ought to get out to
the field and work because that's where the work is and the harvest is becoming
more plentiful but field workers are few. According to (Jeremiah 6:16) we must
ask for the old paths, the good way, and walk therein, and we shall find rest
for our souls and the job would seem very light.
The
numerous problems confronting the church have only recently been exacerbated by
COVID-19 pandemic which seems to send people away from church congregations to
grow the home churches and the advent of private internet ministries. The
internet could easily be polluted by messages from self-serving ministries.
Apostle John in (1 John 2:19) describes erring ministries as "They went
out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no
doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made
manifest that they were not all of us". Whereas God may also be speaking
to the need to increase the ministry, to
improve the interpersonal living and caring for one another, and preparing
everyone for the coming Jesus the Lord of Host. Any ministry practising envy,
abuse of other ministries, attack on public officials or church leaders, is not
representing Christ and they are own self mission. The Holy Spirit has the
power to regulate and humble every ministry that goes contrary.
For
example, a certain disciple of Jesus named Ananias was in Damascus at a time
Jesus needed him to restore Saul of Tarsus. The Lord Jesus told him in a vision
to arise, and go into the street which was called straight, and to enquire in
the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus. Saul who later was also
called Paul had encountered the Lord Jesus whilst on his way with authority
from Jerusalem to come for more persecution of the church in Damascus. Jesus had made Saul a chosen vessel unto
Himself, to bear His name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of
Israel but Ananias must go out to heal and anoint this new apostle Paul. The
detailed story is in Acts 9: 10-18. This is a clear example of fieldwork, but
we must wait for a call, empowerment and instructions from God.
All
believers constitute the body of Christ, and members in particular, (1
Corinthians 22:27). What we see in SCOAN, is not just the demonstration of the
power of Jesus but also the unity of the Church. That through faith in Christ
Jesus prayer can go out from a messenger of God from Ikotun Egbe Lagos Nigeria
to any part of the planet and heal, deliver and set free is describing the
unity in the working of this Jesus and His Church. The Lord Jesus is allowing
this, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ", (Ephesians 4:12). God is willingly
showing unto this generation some of His divine attributes and promises to the
saints. Therefore in Christ Jesus is the
anchor of our soul, that is both sure and steadfast, and which shall hold us
securely. This Jesus is our High Priest forever and ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Emmanuel
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