Act 2:42

(42) And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord's Supper] and prayers.

G4342 – προσκαρτερέω - proskartereō - Thayer Definition:

1) to adhere to one, be his adherent, to be devoted or constant to one

2) to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing

3) to continue all the time in a place

4) to persevere and not to faint

5) to show one’s self courageous for

6) to be in constant readiness for one, wait on constantly

Steadfastly:

• firm and unwavering in purpose, loyalty, or resolve
• persistently, consistently, with conviction, unwaveringly, unfalteringly

Persevered:

• to persist steadily in an action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite problems or difficulties

From this scripture it is clear that the disciples were engaged in 4 basic activities through which the church was built and that also dictated there way of life and lifestyle:

• A – ADMINISTRATION - Apostles’ doctrine
• C – COMMUNITY - Fellowship
• T – TABLE - Breaking of bread
• S – SUPPLICATION - Prayers

APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE

Most of us come from a church culture and background where we have never been taught the importance of the Apostle’s Doctrine. We have grown up in a church culture where the emphasis mostly was placed on the fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers. This is an inaccurate dimension of church as the Apostle’s doctrine is controversial to my comfort zones and to the comfort zones of those around me because if I leave the Apostle’s doctrine out then I do not have to confront inaccuracies.

Most churches that we see today have left out Apostles’ doctrine. They have a three-fold emphasis on: fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. These are 3 dimensional churches. Within the frame of reference of these churches the “Apostles’ doctrine is controversial. They prefer to leave that to the Bible

Schools” – this is the belief of many leaders who do not wish to engage in confronting inaccuracies due to the so-called breaking of unity amongst the brethren and will compromise in order to establish a false unity of Faith.

This is nothing but false unity and the spirit of Nimrod that are operating in the church. We are after building the Kingdom but it is done through compromise and a false unity where we dare not disagree with someone with regards to the Apostolic Doctrines.

More and more Word and Bible schools are closing down. We find the members in a church have no Biblical literacy and that this lack of Bible literacy is steadily increasing.

In many churches Word Schools has now been replaced by courses that focus on the soul dimension and the Babylonian system. We see financial courses, self image and restoration after divorce courses and many more. The ears of those who attend are being tickled and no real doctrine is imparted. We have also seen that in many churches the bible study groups has now been replaced by either fellowship or care groups or so called prayer meetings.

There is almost no focus on apostolic doctrine being taught and most of the focus is being placed on fellowship and care groups. These groups have become a place where we engage one another in the soul dimension and prayer meetings where little prayer takes place and much fellowship.

Pastors and spiritual leaders have an approach that says “let’s leave doctrine to the theologians and experts” and the problem is that these experts are always somewhere far away. Pastors’ and leadership gatherings also shun any doctrinal involvement. The approach is one of – “don’t ruin the friendship by bringing doctrine into the discussion”.

We have to come to a place where we clearly understand that doctrine is not optional – it is the very standard and prototype of our belief system. Apostolic Doctrine constitutes our belief system.

Doctrine develops your character, it counteracts error, and it reveals the mind of Christ and outlines fundamental truth.

In looking at this scripture we see that there is a specific order in which these building blocks are mentioned.

1. Apostles’ doctrine
2. Fellowship
3. Breaking of bread
4. Prayers

Apostles’ doctrine here is mentioned first, not accidentally but deliberately. A true follower of Christ and a true sheep will at all times demand truth. Jesus did not say I am the Way and the Truth and the Life for no reason. He is Truth and as a follower of Jesus you must love truth as well. The Apostles’ doctrine involves a Word-centered life. Let me ask you this question before I continue….. To what extend is your life a WORD CENTERED LIFE?

Let’s take a moment and look at the responses of the apostles around this:

Act 6:2

(2) So the Twelve [apostles] convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly or desirable or right that we should have to give up or neglect [preaching] the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables and superintending the distribution of food.

You can see clearly from the scriptures here that the apostles placed Doctrine before fellowship and the breaking of bread. You have to test yourself and your own life against this as well. What priority do you place on the doctrine that is being taught in and through this Household? What priority do you place on doctrine? When you have to attend the Wordschool of a sons meeting or even church, what are those things that keeping you from attending. Those are the things that you place above doctrine. Let me be practical to help you better understand what I am saying. Visiting your mother or family before attending the place where doctrine is presented is placing doctrine second and not first.

Caring for your business or whatever else before attending the meetings where doctrine is presented is placing doctrine not in the most important place. You have to understand…. Doctrine is the Word of God…. The proceeding word of God at this time and moment. Your rejection of attending that place of instruction in doctrine is as if you are rejecting Christ Himself. You are placing a higher priority on your own comfort and needs than on the Word of God. That is the reality. I want you to understand that Apostolic Doctrinal meetings always take preference over anything else. That is a decision that each one of us has to make and also have to start living. Every time I give you homework or research to do and I hear the complaints and how you suffer I only hear your lack of love for the Word and also that you still have not come to that place where the Word is your life and your reality.

Act 6:7

(7) And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God].

It is very easy…… A person with a valid salvation pursues the Word. There is a true desire and passion. He wants to eat the flesh of JESUS. THE WORD, and drink the blood of JESUS. By the way what does it mean to drink the blood of JESUS? Do you know? To drink the Blood of Jesus is the symbol of internalizing the WORD.

1Pe 2:2-3

(2) Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,

(3) Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord. [Psalms 34:8]

The main business of a spiritual leader is to feed the sheep with the Word of God.

Joh 21:15-19

(15) When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do--with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

(16) Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.

(17) He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.

(18) I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go.

(19) He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!

Again we see even as Jesus engaged Peter that it was first Doctrine and then Fellowship and then Jesus again concluded with Doctrine.

If your Bible study has closed down – you have shut down the main enterprise of the kingdom of God – Your church will not be able to build transgenerationally.

Be suspicious of believers that do not want or love God’s word. They may just be wood, stubble and hay. Apostles’ doctrine is more than Bible study. Bible study can kill your church – the letter of the word kills. The apostles were speaking about new things. They were speaking out of revelation that they have received. Their teachings were relevant, current, Christocentric and practical. They were speaking proceeding truth.

Mat 4:4

(4) But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. [Deuteronomy 8:3]

Proceeding truth is life-giving word. We so often talk about proceeding word. If I have to ask you this morning to define for me from scripture what is proceeding word what would your response be?

PROCEEDING WORD

Let me just divert for a moment and explain this very basic concept to you. Many times we use the catch phrases of this season without even really knowing what it means or understanding the concepts.

If we look at Matthew 4:4 the word rhema is being used.

G4487 - ῥῆμα - rhēma - Thayer Definition:

1) that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word

Thus the meaning that is portrayed here is a spoken word. A word that is being spoken to you and a word that brings and carries life.

G1607 - ἐκπορεύομαι – ekporeuomai - Thayer Definition:

1) to go forth, go out, depart

2) metaphorically

2a) to come forth, to issue, to proceed

We see then that a proceeding word is a living word that is proceeding or going forth from the mouth of God.

Proceeding word brings life. Spiritual death results from an absence of the

proceeding word.

Pro 29:18

(18) Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he. [1 Samuel 3:1; Amos 8:11, 12]

H2377 – châzôn - khaw-zone' – Strongs Dictionary

From H2372; a sight (mentally), that is, a dream, revelation, or oracle: - vision.

Let us together take a moment to analyze this statement:

VISION = REVELATION

KEEPS = narrowly observe

H8451 - tôrāh, ֹתָּרה

tōrāh: A feminine noun meaning instruction, direction, law, Torah, the whole Law. This noun comes from the verb yārāh (H3384), which has, as one of its major meanings, to teach, to instruct. The noun means instruction in a general way from God;

WORD (MESSAGE) = PROCEEDING WORD FROM THE LORD.

Let me apply this concept to you in a practical way:

Let’s post a question to several of the fathers of Faith that we find in the Word:

“What must I do to be saved?”

ABEL – OFFER A BLOOD SACRIFICE.

NOAH – GET INTO THE ARK.

LOT - GET OUT OF THE CITY.

ABRAHAM – GET CIRCUMCISED.

MOSES – KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.

JOHN THE BAPTIST – REPENT AND BE BAPTISED.

PAUL – BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Take note that the question is the same but the answer constantly changes with time.

Getting into the ark was relevant for Noah, but is no longer relevant for us. The present demand of God for salvation is belief on the Lord Jesus Christ. Getting circumcised or keeping the commandments were preceding truths. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is a proceeding truth that is the present demand of God for salvation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PROCEEDING WORD

1. IT IS A MANNA WORD - YESTERDAY’S MANNA IS TODAYS WORMS.

Exo 16:16-20

(16) This is what the Lord has commanded: Let every man gather of it as much as he will need, an omer for each person, according to the number of your persons; take it, every man for those in his tent.

(17) The [people] did so, and gathered some more, some less.

(18) When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack; each gathered according to his need.

(19) Moses said, "Let none of it be left until morning."

(20) But they did not listen to Moses; some of them left of it until morning, and it bred worms, became foul, and stank; and Moses was angry with them.

Yesterday’s manna was good for yesterday. It can not feed you today. You could not live on yesterday’s manna. Similarly you cannot live on yesterday’s revelation or illumination that God has given.

God must be sought for the fresh bread and manna of today. When the cloud moved, the nation had to move, because the manna was only found under the cloud.

PROCEEDING WORD CAN ONLY BE GRASPED BY THOSE WHO ARE

PREPARED TO MOVE WHERE GOD IS, NOT WHERE GOD WAS.

2. ANOINTED WORD

Rev 2:29

(29) He who is able to hear let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches).

Proceeding word is what the Spirit is saying to the church now.

3. NEW WORD

Isa 42:9

(9) Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Isa 48:6-8

(6) You have heard [these things foretold], now you see this fulfillment. And will you not bear witness to it? I show you specified new things from this time forth, even hidden things [kept in reserve] which you have not known.

(7) They are created now [called into being by the prophetic word], and not long ago; and before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, Behold, I knew them!

(8) Yes, you have never heard, yes, you have never known; yes, from of old your ear has not been opened. For I, the Lord, knew that you, O house of Israel, dealt very treacherously; you were called a transgressor and a rebel [in revolt] from your birth.

4. NOW WORD

2Pe 1:12 [AMP]

(12) So I intend always to remind you about these things, although indeed you know them and are firm in the truth that [you] now [hold].

2 Pet 1:12 [NKJV]

For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.

5. ADDITIONAL WORD - GOD IS CONTINUALLY COMMUNICATING WITH HIS CHURCH.

1Ch 12:32

(32) And of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs; and all their kinsmen were under their command;

Luk 12:54-56

(54) He also said to the crowds of people, when you see a cloud rising in the west, at once you say, It is going to rain! And so it does.

(55) And when [you see that] a south wind is blowing, you say, There will be severe heat! And it occurs.

(56) You play actors (hypocrites)! You know how [intelligently] to discern and interpret and prove the looks of the earth and sky; but how is it that you do not know how to discern and interpret and apply the proof to this present time?

5.1. EXAMPLES:

5.1.1. MOSES

Exo 17:6

(6) Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at [Mount] Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. [1 Corinthians 10:4]

Num 20:8-12

(8) Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to give forth its water and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.

(9) So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as He commanded him.

(10) And Moses and Aaron assembled the congregation before the rock and Moses said to them, Hear now, you rebels; must we bring you water out of this rock?

(11) And Moses lifted up his hand and with his rod he smote the rock twice. And the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.

(12) And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, because you did not believe in (rely on, cling to) Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Israelites, you therefore shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. [Psalms 106:32, 33]

The first time God told Moses to strike the rock in order to obtain water. The second time God asked Moses to speak to the rock. However Moses repeated the past action of striking the rock, failing to recognize the new demand of God in a new season. This act which God called unbelief disqualified Moses from entering the Promised Land.

5.1.2. ELIJAH’S PROPHETS

Elijah’s prophets saw Elisha emerging from Jordan with the mantle of Elijah. Instead of pursuing the mantle, they went looking for the body of Elijah - the past. They failed to perceive the new season of the double portion upon Elisha. The understanding of the present demand of God will keep the church in obedience to the voice of God and relevant to the purposes of God. Failure to understand the times, leads to religious bondage.

Luk 12:54-56

(54) He also said to the crowds of people, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, at once you say, it is going to rain!" And so it does.

(55) And when [you see that] a south wind is blowing, you say, There will be severe heat! And it occurs.

(56) You play actors (hypocrites)! You know how [intelligently] to discern and interpret and prove the looks of the earth and sky; but how is it that you do not know how to discern and interpret and apply the proof to this present time?

5.1.3. Josiah and Pharoah Necho

2Ch 35:20-25

(20) After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt went out to fight against Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah went out against him.

(21) But [Neco] sent ambassadors to [Josiah], saying, What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? I come not against you this day, but against the house with which I am at war; and God has commanded me to make haste. Refrain from opposing God, Who is with me, lest He destroy you.

(22) Yet Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not heed the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight with him in the valley of Megiddo.

(23) And the archers shot King Josiah, and the king said to his servants, Take me away, for I am severely wounded.

(24) So his servants took him out of the chariot and put him in his second chariot and brought him to Jerusalem. And he died and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

(25) Jeremiah gave a lament for Josiah, and all the singing men and women have spoken of Josiah in their laments to this day. They made them an ordinance in Israel; behold, they are written in the Laments. [Lamentations 4:20]

Prov 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people perish (KJV)

1Sa 3:1

(1) Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. The word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days; there was no frequent or widely spread vision.

6. GOD IS THE SOURCE OF ALL REVELATION.

Col 2:2-3

(2) [For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One).

(3) In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of aligning yourself to the proceeding word of God. This is the apostolic doctrines that God is releasing in this time.

Your doctrine determines who you fellowship with. Without doctrine you will

fellowship with anyone – you will never accelerate kingdom purpose. Without doctrine you will break bread with anyone and pray with anyone – in violation of the one accord principle.

To be in one accord is to have come to a place of agreement on all matters. You can not be in one accord with someone whose doctrine and beliefs differs from your own. The power of the one accord principle was manifested in the early church through agreement on the apostolic doctrines.

This does not mean that you must not fellowship with people that are not in one accord – Give priority to a doctrinal meeting in your life – let fellowship follow as a secondary event. Prayer is important but it is mentioned last. The church many times places prayer first. This is placing the cart before the horse.

The apostolic reformation is demanding doctrinal accuracy and priority, with

fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. God is a God of order and this is His order:

1. Apostles’ doctrine
2. Fellowship
3. Breaking of bread
4. Prayers

You have to understand that THE WORD is now PRIORITY. Everything else is now subjected to THE WORD. What you believe will determine what you practice. What you believe will determine your destiny.

Thus we understand that Apostolic Doctrine is also the proceeding Word of God.