THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE CHURCH

That all church workers may be encouraged to stay on the job even when the going is tough. False teaching was very prominent in the days of Apostle paws ministry. However, Paul did not handle it with levity because he knew the damage such teachings could do to the lives of believers and to the health of the Church asa body. False teachings ignite controversies, murder, lying, slavery and perjury, all of which are contrary to the sound doctrine. As it was then, so it is today. The falsified gospel is almost overwhelming the true gospel. We must therefore rise to OUrfeetto live and reproduce the genuine gospel in the midst of a confused generation.

TO TEACH SOUND DOCTRINE (ITimothy 1:3-20)

• The Church must teach sound doctrine. She must sustain fellowship meetings, regular prayer meetings and breaking of bread. Hebrews 10:25 enjoins believers not to avoid fellowshipping with one another. Praying for steadfastness in the faith should have no limit. Communion of the believers tightens the bolt of love and commitment to the true teachings.

• Church leaders are saddled with the responsibility of teaching sound doctrine, and of encouraging others to do the same. "To whom much is given, much is required." The error of a leader is dangerous. When one hears what some church leaders say and see what they do, one's heart would bleed. Apostle Paul said, "The things you've heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people...to teach others" (2Timothy 2:2). As a leader, are what you say and do worthy of being taught to others?

• Unbiblical doctrines must not be allowed in the Church. Apostle Paul assigned a true son in the Lord to wait at Ephesus, to raise a standard against false teachers and their teachings. With every sense of responsibility, there seems to be a number of either bastards or sons who have gone prodigal in the gospel ministry today. They live and work against the dignity of the gospel of the Cross.

TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL (ITimothy 1;12-17)

The church should proclaim the true gospel that Jesus died for our sins and we are saved only through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Forgiveness is not obtained by obeying the laws, punishing the body through hunger-strike (fasting), or paying "tax" (sowing seed") to prophets or to churches. It is obtained through confession of sins, repentance and forsaking of sins.

The church must refuse false teachings like the following:

• The stories and the people in the book of Genesis are not real." "Jesus' miracles are mere magic and exaggerations." This is mythical in nature.

• The church is an extension of Judaism. Judaism strictly adheres to the laws, customs and practices projected from the pious Jewish communities." This is not true. The church is a community of people saved by grace, with their allegiance to Christ.

• One ought to worship angels to be acceptable to God." This is a false doctrine.

• The worship of celestial beings is forbidden in the Christian faith. Holy angels are fellow servants with us. They even serve us as believers (Revelation 22:8, 9).

TO CONTEND EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH

• Every servant of God should remember that he/she is in a constant battle against the forces of evil and false teachers. We celebrate grace against the theology of salvation through works. Unfortunately, abuse of that grace is common these days. We therefore ought to contend for a free but expensive grace.

• It is the duty of Christians to defend the faith by exposing lies and opposing doctrines of demons. Every one that is named by the Lord should depart from iniquity. We are also to have nothing to do with the works of darkness. Rather, we should expose them (Ephesians 5:11).

• It is not easy to propagate the gospel in pagan areas like Ephesus (Acts 19:23). One must be ready for a serious opposition because darkness and light are not friends. Paul and his companions were almost murdered because unbelievers would do everything possible to oppose the true gospel.

• Our superior officer is the King of kings. We must obey Him by teaching sound doctrines, preaching the Word and defending the truth. There is no looking back when our Commanding Officer says "Advance !" Often, we fear and try to preserve and protect our lives, but we lose it. Every believer, especially priests, must take the bull by the horn whenever it is necessaryto defend the Christian Faith. Only those who have fought and won are referred to as victors. Until Christ returns, may we never lack a numberthat are faithful in this age where cowards are celebrated.
  As legitimate children, our greatest heritage is the Faith of our Fathers. We must protect it jealously.