Preface

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"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment" (James 3:1).

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Not many understand how to spend time with God in His word, at least not in the privileged manner He intended. Rather than reading the Bible with God, according to the gracious rule of His indwelling life, they attempt to read the Bible for God. It is the equivalent of approaching God and His word from the very limited perspective of the old self under rule of law.

Approaching the Bible from a legalistic, selfish perspective leads to biblical interpretation that is incongruent with the essential doctrine of grace through faith alone. It allows for personal bias and, therefore, the twisting of Scripture to meet individual expectation (cf. 2 Peter 1:20). Historically speaking, a legalistic, selfish approach to the Bible has proven to be a significant cause of false doctrine in the church.

Reading and studying the Bible with God under the rule of His indwelling life is a distinct privilege. It is commensurate with reading the Bible in accord with the personal tutelage of its Author.

Although often overlooked, teaching by the indwelling Spirit of God is a fundamental aspect of Christianity. “As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him” (1 John 2:27; cf. John 14:26; Acts 10:38; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 16; 1 Thessalonians 4:9).

Reading and studying the Bible with God under the rule of His indwelling life is satisfied in accordance with the fullness of the indwelling “Spirit of life” and His gracious illumination of Scriptural truth. Human cooperation occurs by means of active, dependent faith alone.

Approaching the Bible dependently requires not only faith, but patience. Therefore, rather than turning immediately to the thoughts and ideas given by God to others within the church body (i.e., Bible commentaries and other reference tools), it is critical to wait prayerfully for illumination by the Spirit of God. As a result, an important foundation is laid for understanding the word of God in its proper context. When it is necessary to confirm the validity of spiritual illumination, the works of other authors remain readily available. However, the spiritual illumination of context and the enlightenment that ensues is often confirmation enough.

Faithfully waiting and depending on the Spirit in prayer preserves the essential doctrine of grace through faith alone. It constitutes a careful approach to the Bible characterized by intimate, life based dependence on the “God of all grace” and, subsequent, interaction by faith alone (1 Peter 5:10).

Receiving illumination of the word of God by His indwelling Spirit requires sensitivity to His ministerial presence and guidance. Sensitivity to the Spirit is cultivated by consistently experiencing the fullness of the Spirit in the context of intimate community (Philippians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 13:14). An act of faith alone, it was designed to be an integral part of the process of spiritual maturation on earth. It is nurtured throughout the believer’s lifetime.

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Learning to understand the church solely from a New Testament perspective has been a life-long process. Writing about it in the form of a book required faithful dependence on God and thousands of hours over a span more than 20 years.

It is my belief that “The Distinct Church of the New Testament” provides a view of the church that is largely unadulterated by religious tradition, organizational strategy and cultural influence. As a consequence, the “Distinct Church” provides solid answers to questions often left unanswered by traditional theological systems.

Please read “The Distinct Church of the New Testament” in the manner in which it was written, prayerfully and dependently. As a consequence, I believe that you will be as blessed as I have been.