THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS *
AND THE PROMISES
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1.
Believe! * |
From
faith to
promise: |
Jesus said: "The time
has come, the The Apostle Paul explained: "Faith comes from
hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of
Christ." (Romans 10:17). The Apostle John said: "For God so loved the
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish but have eternal life" (John |
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2. Repent and be baptized! * Belong! |
From
action to
promise: From
faith to
promise: |
The Apostle Peter explained: "Repent and be baptized, every one
of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts The Apostle John said: "To all who received
Him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children
of God - children not of natural descent, but born of God." (John
1:12-13). |
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3. Seek! * pray! |
With
faith From
prayer to
promise: |
Jesus said: "Seek first the kingdom and the
righteousness of God, and all these things will be given to you as well"
(Matthew Jesus said: "If you believe you will receive
whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22) Jesus said: "Ask and it shall be given to
you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For
everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the
door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8). |
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4. Love! * |
From
action to
promise: |
Jesus commanded: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'." (Matthew 22:37-39). The Apostle Paul wrote: "For in Christ Jesus
... the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
(Galatians 5:6). Jesus said: "A new commandment I give unto
you: Love one another…. By this all
men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John |
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5. Remember! * celebrate the Lord's supper! |
Faith Required |
And Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it,
and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance
of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying,
"This is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you (for
the forgiveness of sins)." (Luke 22:19-20). The Apostle Paul explained: "Anyone who eats
and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement
on himself." (1. Corinthians 11:29). |
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6. Give! * serve! |
Faith Required From
action to
promise: |
Jesus said: "Do not store up for yourselves
treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in
and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and
rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21). The Apostle Paul explained: "Each man should
give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under
compulsion." (2. Corinthians 9:7). Jesus said: "Give and it will be given to you
(Luke |
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7. Lead! be a light, * witness, call disciples! |
Faith Required From
action to
promise: |
Jesus said: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds, and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16). It is written: I believed; therefore I have
spoken. With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore
speak." (2. Corinthians 4:13). Jesus commanded: "Go and make disciples of
all nations …. and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the
age (Matthew 28:19a & 20b). |
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Source: Patterson, George. "The Spontaneous Multiplication of Churches". In Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, pp. 601 - 616. Edited by Ralph D. Winter and
Steven C. Hawthorne. Library, 1981. |