The Church Prevailing Against the Gates of Hades
“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18
Make no mistake, spiritual warfare is a reality. In the Old Testament, Satan aimed his attack against Israel. Since the finished work of Christ, the kingdom of darkness now aims its attack also against Christians and the body of Christ. (Read Revelation 12:17)
As Jesus set out to build His church, He gave every born-again believer His authority and power. (Read Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:3-8) It is essential that every born-again believer know the authority that comes with their position “in Christ” and that they walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Keep in mind, the church is comprised of people and not buildings or governing structures. The body of Christ is a glorious mystery made up of born-again and Spirit filled believers.
Satan seeks to deceive, divide, tempt and concur the church. He hates the bride of Christ because she has been equipped and empowered to overcome him.
The book of Ephesians is the handbook on spiritual warfare. It was written to equip every believer to know the surpassing greatness of God, the riches of our inheritance in Christ and the power available to us to overcome the forces of darkness.
As we shall learn, one of the themes of the book of Ephesians is the mystery of the church as the bride of Christ. It unpacks the full meaning of Matthew 16:13-20.
When the church steps into its discipleship, educating, equipping and training call, the gates of Hades cannot prevail against the mature body of Christ. (See Ephesians 4:11-16) Jesus has given His Church the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.
But what happens if believers remain carnal, ignorant of biblical truth and immature? What happens when believers are content being part of an organization rather than alive and active in the living organism of the body of Christ?
The result is obvious and tragic. The Gates of Hades quickly begins to prevail against the church and hold many believers in sinful bondage and defeat. The church becomes carnal, liberal and captive to sinful bondage. It quickly disconnects from its mission and call in the world. (Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5)
But it need not happen to you! The truth can set you free and you can walk in the full benefits of your position “in Christ” and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The purpose of the Freedom Quest Workshop that I teach is leading believers to freedom in Christ and equipping them to overcome the daily battles. It is aimed at helping them become mature, fruitful and effective soldiers in the body of Christ!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18
Make no mistake, spiritual warfare is a reality. In the Old Testament, Satan aimed his attack against Israel. Since the finished work of Christ, the kingdom of darkness now aims its attack also against Christians and the body of Christ. (Read Revelation 12:17)
As Jesus set out to build His church, He gave every born-again believer His authority and power. (Read Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:3-8) It is essential that every born-again believer know the authority that comes with their position “in Christ” and that they walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Keep in mind, the church is comprised of people and not buildings or governing structures. The body of Christ is a glorious mystery made up of born-again and Spirit filled believers.
Satan seeks to deceive, divide, tempt and concur the church. He hates the bride of Christ because she has been equipped and empowered to overcome him.
The book of Ephesians is the handbook on spiritual warfare. It was written to equip every believer to know the surpassing greatness of God, the riches of our inheritance in Christ and the power available to us to overcome the forces of darkness.
As we shall learn, one of the themes of the book of Ephesians is the mystery of the church as the bride of Christ. It unpacks the full meaning of Matthew 16:13-20.
When the church steps into its discipleship, educating, equipping and training call, the gates of Hades cannot prevail against the mature body of Christ. (See Ephesians 4:11-16) Jesus has given His Church the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.
But what happens if believers remain carnal, ignorant of biblical truth and immature? What happens when believers are content being part of an organization rather than alive and active in the living organism of the body of Christ?
The result is obvious and tragic. The Gates of Hades quickly begins to prevail against the church and hold many believers in sinful bondage and defeat. The church becomes carnal, liberal and captive to sinful bondage. It quickly disconnects from its mission and call in the world. (Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5)
But it need not happen to you! The truth can set you free and you can walk in the full benefits of your position “in Christ” and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The purpose of the Freedom Quest Workshop that I teach is leading believers to freedom in Christ and equipping them to overcome the daily battles. It is aimed at helping them become mature, fruitful and effective soldiers in the body of Christ!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
