Dear brethren,

In the first century, the early church was in great turmoil due to the issue of circumcision. Some thought, no one can be saved unless they were circumcised after the manner of Moses.  The controversial issue threatened to cause a split, and it is likely some did depart from the church.   

The elders from all over came together in 35 AD to decide this divisive matter, and there was much debate and dispute over this long-standing practice. (Acts 15:1-7) Surely the elders prayed much for the presence of God in what they decided.   It was truly a history making early church general conference of elders which impacted the church then and all of us ever since.

On May 4-7, the United Church of God will hold a meeting of the General Conference of Elders (GCE).  The importance of what the elders do at the annual General Conference of Elders should not be lost in our modern time.

As with the early church important, decisions are made which impact the entire membership of the church. Therefore, the prayers of the brethren are needed that God will the proceedings which take place at each annual conference.

The General Conference of Elder (GCE) must appoint elders who will serve on the Council of Elders each year.  Due to the rotation of the terms of COE members usually there are three or more council members to replace, and we beseech God for His approval of those selected.  

What was determined by the collective elders in the early church at Jerusalem was what was decreed to be taught in the churches.  (Acts 15:27-31)

Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, has organized His church with the intention of edifying the saints.  The Apostle Paul explains this clearly in the book of Ephesians: 

"He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ..." (Eph. 4:10-13)

The goal of the ministry of the Church is to bring those God has called to the fullness of the maturity of Jesus Christ.  It involves much teaching and instruction to prepare God's people, and it is a very big task for all of us! 

Each of us has the responsibility to work toward a greater maturity so we are not easy prey for Satan in his tangled web of deceit. (I Pet 5:8) Jesus Christ's ministry has the duty of equipping the saints much as a soldier is made ready to do battle. (Eph. 6:11-12)  We need the whole armor of God to remain standing after the fight.  Paul says in Ephesians:

"that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Eph. 4: 14-16)

You and I are a part of the great body of Christ, and we must realize the high honor God has bestowed upon us that we can say that.  God expects us to be mature men and women, and recognize what He is doing.

Jesus Christ raised up His Church, and He said the gates of the grave through all the tribulations will not prevail against it.  It is God's Church, and it is yours and mine, if we do our part.  Paul offers  great encouragement by saying, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31) 

Imagine, God didn't even spare His Own Son for our sake, and with God on our side we cannot lose since He will freely give us all things!  God loves us so much He will provide us any means to be more than conquerors! (Rom.1:37)

However, caution is in order for us.  The first century church got off track by not seeing the BIG PICTURE.  They began to focus on men like Peter, Paul, and Apollos who were doing the work, when they should have looked to the Father and Christ, who is the true Head of the Church. 

People tend to cling to one speaker or another, and there is a danger of focusing too much on men and not God. (II Tim. 4:3-4) See the overall big picture of what Christ and His Church is doing. Some focused on certain powerful speakers like Apollos and got their eye off Christ and the overall work which had to be done.  Consequently, some found it easy to be critical of Paul who they should have been listening to since he was the apostle to the Gentiles.

Paul warned the Corinthians: "Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come--all are yours. 23 And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's." (I Cor. 3:21-23)

There are no one-man-teams in the church, but we are ALL in this together! Our greatest strength is working together as a team to accomplish the really big job of the church.  The body is the team serving under Christ, the Head!

When we pray for the GCE meetings in Cincinnati, please pray God will give discernment to all the elders in balloting so God's Holy WILL is done in the decisions of the church.  Pray for His Holy presence in all proceedings. 

It is God who works through all of us weak human instruments to do His will so the Work of God is done.  The ultimate goal of God's Work is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom to every nation and prepare His people! 

Tomorrow we will have combined services for both Phoenix churches at the Temple Emanuel in Tempe at 2:30PM.  We have the opportunity to see and hear the Sabbath services conducted at the GCE 2019 with elders and their wives gathered from around the world.  We pray always for unity, as this is most pleasing the God. (Ps. 133:1)

Have a delightful Sabbath and weekend!

Your brother in Christ,                                                                            

Jim Tuck