The Key Of Knowledge

Chapter One

A: THE CALL OF THE APOSTOLIC MINISTRY

We really need to focus on the call of God for the ministry. It is the purpose of the Lord to reveal His true Sons to the world and to the institution we know as church. We are the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers chosen to bring government and order to the Body of Christ. It is our responsibility to perfect the Body and present it to the Father.

The conception, birth and growth of John the Baptist, is a good type of the end-time apostolic ministry.

St.Luke 1:76-80

76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

This is the call of the apostolic ministry. Those of us who are chosen to implement the reformation of the Church were birthed in the truth as little children. Our souls were hungry and thirty for the righteousness of God. Though many of us were already saved and attending church, the word that was preached did not satisfy the craving to know and serve the Father. Nevertheless, the Father heard the cry of the spirit within, and supernaturally directed us to a place of revelation of the salvation experience we had received. The eyes of our understanding were enlightened.

Ephesians 4:11-13

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

The knowledge of our salvation was poured out to us. That knowledge became more and more profound within, as we continuously traveled out of the bondage of sin. It seemed to be the purpose of the Holy Ghost, to first identify our sinful mindsets so that they would no longer be a stumbling block to our spiritual development.

Just as John grew strong in spirit, so are we now growing strong in the Holy Ghost. For we have received the knowledge of the truth and because of it, are now capable of walking in the realm of the Spirit. The flesh is decreasing and the lordship of the Spirit of God is increasing in us.

However, the Lord has kept us hidden in His quiver, awaiting the ripening of the fruit. Not only are we growing in the knowledge of the Lord, but we are also producing virtuous character. Soon and very soon, will come the day of our showing to the Body of Christ.

Note that the knowledge of salvation is to be given to the people. It is the call of the apostolic ministry to inform the saints of the riches of glory that have been freely given to the Body of Christ.

JOHN WALKED IN THE CHARACTER OF THE WORD THAT HE PREACHED. THE SONS OF GOD MUST DO THE SAME. Dispensing the knowledge of salvation must be by living example. We, the Sons, must manifest the truth. There are grave consequences for not doing so. Note the following scripture.

St. Luke 11:52

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Souls are hindered in their pursuit of righteousness when those instructing do not do that which they teach. All hope is taken away. The key of knowledge is given to those chosen to serve in leading the way to God’s purpose. This key is the power of God to walk in the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is the evidence of the redemptive power of God, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the proof of the Word of God.

It is the call of the apostolic ministry to inform the saints of the riches of glory that have been freely given to the Body of Christ.

Woe :

1. Deep sorrow.

2. Misfortune: calamity.

Webster’s Dictionary

In many churches, the key has been taken away. Saints are confused by the preaching of the gospel without the evidence in the life of the teachers. That is why it is imperative that we believe that the judgment of God is reserved for all who have beguiled, merchandised, abused and outright sinned against the Body.

The season for the world to gape at a crumbing form called “The Church” is over. The Lord is raising up a Body of baptized believers, who will do the will of the Father at any cost. They will not compromise, neither will they faint in the midst of adversity. They will listen to the voice of the chief shepherd, and Him alone will they follow.

B: THE DISPOSITION OF THE SOUL

It is the soul that must be won. For we must believe God, all the way to the saving of the soul.

Genesis 2:7

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

The man Adam became a “living soul.” The man was called soul. Therefore, the essence of who Adam was is a soul, given expression or life through the flesh. That is where the term “living soul” is coined. The body gives life to the contents of the soul.

The soul is the spirit of the mind. It is the life of the flesh, or the innerman. Without a soul the flesh has nothing to express. The things of the world enter into the soul through the gates of the flesh. These gates are the five senses. Those things that we see, hear, touch, taste or smell, create thought.

Thoughts create feelings and desires in the soul. (Thought itself is spiritual and must live in a spiritual environment.) Therefore, the soul or spirit of the mind is the home of our thoughts. They live in the heart or imagination, gendering will, emotion and desire. When our thoughts are evil, our disposition of the flesh becomes wicked. When our thoughts are holy and pure, then the disposition of the flesh is righteous.

When the flesh becomes one with the soul, then all the contents of the soul are lived out or expressed through the flesh. Nevertheless, there are times when the flesh is placed in situations that will not allow it to express the contents of the soul. It is then the soul becomes depressed or the heart becomes defiled. When thought or desire cannot be lived out in the flesh, it is housed in the imagination, regardless as to whether the thoughts and desires are good or bad.

Hebrews 10:38-39

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

The soul is the home of our thoughts. Thoughts live in the imagination and gender: will, emotion and desire.

Genesis 12:13

Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Genesis 19:18-20

18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:

19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.

THE SOUL LIVES THROUGH THE FLESH.

Just as the body is dead without the soul, so is the soul dead without the body. They are one and can only be separated by the Word of God.

David said that God desires truth in the inward parts. That truth has come to the spirit of man and apprehended the human spirit, thus, freeing it from the captivity of the spirit of iniquity.

Now because of this, man is empowered to win his own soul back from the trappings of sin.

The soul is the spirit of the mind. It is the heart, the imagination, the will and the appetites of the flesh. Whatever enters the soul is expressed in the flesh. Again, the flesh merely gives expression to the contents of the soul.

THE HOUSE OF GOD

Let us examine the mind of the Father in creation of the Body of Christ.

II Corinthians 5:1

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Psalm 51:6

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

St. John 17:17

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

II Corinthians 5:1

God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

I want you to follow the inference here. “We know.” The “we” here refers to those born again believers in the Body of Christ. We, the Sons of God, know that this body is an earthly house or better still, a room in a larger tabernacle. Note the terminology here. “If our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have another “building” or room not made with hands.

In this season we live on the earth, we remain in these earthly houses or the original tabernacles of man. This statement alone implies that the Sons of God are something more than what meets the natural eye. It also implies that there is a distinct difference between the Son and the house he lives in.

Note the next three verses.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

II Corinthians 5:2-4

Listen to the cry of the new creature. He is living in an earthen vessel that is burdensome and a major hindrance to his walk in the spirit. The vessel wars against the desire of the spirit. He would rather be clothed in his new house which is a spiritual vessel. But the creature has been subjected to hope. He is appointed to wait for the coming of the King. Meanwhile, he must conquer the body he dwells in.

Nevertheless, this house that he dwells in is a small room in the household of faith or the Body of Christ; the body being the temple or tabernacle of God of which each one of us is a part. This is a spiritual Body, and each member of it must be spiritual.

St. John 17:11-17

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

St. John 17:21-23

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

We were all created in one Spirit. We were all baptized into Christ. This assures that God the Father lives in us, and we, the new creature, live in Him. This is the glory of the Body of Christ. We are one with the Father and the Son, in the Holy Ghost.

REFERENCE SCRIPTURE

II Corinthians 5:5-21

5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and

to be present with the Lord.

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

C: THE DISPOSITION OF THE CONSCIENCE

The conscience of the old man could not have been the Spirit of God because it was dead in sins. Now, we know, that God cannot sin, neither can He be tempted with sin. Therefore, the physical make-up of the conscience has to be of an earthly element. We must not confuse it to be the Spirit of God simply because it is the seat of inspiration or breathed in knowledge.

CONSCIENCE:

NT:4894

suneido (soon-i'-do); from NT:4862 and NT:1492; to see completely; to understand or become aware, and to be conscious or informed of: consider, to know, co perception, i.e. moral consciousness:

The conscience is that part of the human spirit that knows the man. It is co-perceptive in that it understands the mandates of God as well as the desire of man. The conscience converts every thing into truth. It is therefore able to judge the thoughts of the mind and deeds of the flesh.

Acts 24:16

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

It is the glory of the Father when a son of God can live free of offense in his own conscience. The conscience is the one that knows the Word and way of God the Father. It is the knower of righteousness and the conviction of sin. Therefore, being purified and sealed in the Holy Ghost it is able to rightly judge the flesh.

Read this passage taken from the Living Bible. It further establishes the conscience as the judge of the flesh.

Romans 2:12-13

12 He will punish sin wherever it is found.

13 He will punish the heathen when they sin, even though they never had God's written laws, for down

James 1:13

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

The Conscience:

a. Is that part of the human spirit that knows man.

b. Is co-perceptive – understands the mandates of God and the desire of man.

c. Converts everything into the truth.

d. Is the judge of the flesh.

e. Bears witness in the Holy Ghost

f. Can never lie nor excuse that which is of a lie.

g. Has been recreated in the righteousness of God.

in their hearts they know right from wrong. God's laws are written within them; their own conscience accuses them, or sometimes excuses them.

Romans 2:12-16 The Living Bible

14 And God will punish the Jews for sinning because they have his written laws but don't obey them. They know what is right but don't do it.

15 After all, salvation is not given to those who know what to do, unless they do it.

16 The day will surely come when at God's command Jesus Christ will judge the secret lives of everyone, their inmost thoughts and motives; this is all part of God's great plan, which I proclaim.

Now we come to the revelation of the residence of the conscience.

Romans 9:1-2

1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Not only is the conscience the judge but it lives in the Holy Ghost. From there it is able to determine the disposition of the heart or soul. The conscience bears witness in the Holy Ghost therefore, it can never lie nor excuse that which is of a lie. The conscience has been recreated in the righteousness of God.

A WEAK CONSCIENCE

Though the conscience is created in the righteousness of God at its birth, it is a babe in the Lord. It must mature in the knowledge of the Lord before it can adequately judge or govern the flesh.

The following chapter is an account of the detriment caused by those in the Body of Christ who are not mindful of those having a weak conscience.

I Corinthians 8:1-13

1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

2 And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Notice that the conscience is weakened from a lack of knowledge. This is how the new man must be developed. He must be exposed to the Word of God. The power to subdue the flesh is in the knowledge of the Word of God.

Note also that it is the conscience that either accuses or excuses the deeds of the flesh and the mind. However, we see that without the Word of God, the conscience is unable to properly judge or discipline the mind of the flesh. Therefore, a lack of knowledge can cause the conscience to become defiled or offended by the deeds of the flesh, such as eating things offered to idols.

Now we need to understand this defilement of the conscience. A brother who is not knowledgeable in the Word is encouraged to eat those things offered to idols. This means that while suffering from a lack of knowledge, he sees eating the meat as eating it unto or regarding the idol. He is not aware that the eating of such neither adds, nor subtracts from him.

Nevertheless, seeing it as wrong and then to see those who have this knowledge sit in the temple of idols and eat the meat thereof, encourages or confirms in his mind that it is alright to eat that which is offered to the idol. Alright in the sense, regarding the idol. He does not realize that the ones with the knowledge do not regard the idol. Thus when he eats, regarding the idol, he eats in offense to his conscience. Offense because his mindset regards the idol while eating the meat. Therefore, the conscience is offended by the mindset in which the meat is eaten.

Note that defilement is through offense. The brother eats that which he believes to be a sin to consume. But he does so because he is persuaded by the act of others who have the knowledge of the truth. Their knowledge keeps them from the conviction of sin, however, the weak brother eats in condemnation, because he thinks it to be a sin. Therefore, it follows that one should not participate in that which he believes to be sin, whether it is sin or not. The principal here, is that, if you believe it to be sin, then to you and for you it is sin.

REFERENCE SCRIPTURES

I Corinthians 10:25-29

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

II Corinthians 1:12

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

II Corinthians 4:2

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

I Timothy 1:5

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

I Timothy 1:19-20

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

I Timothy 3:9

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

I Timothy 4:1-2

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Titus 1:15

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

D: PERFECTING THE CONSCIENCE

Let us look at the call of the church. In order for those who are called to the service of the Lord to fulfill their call, they must understand the work that is to be done.

Ephesians 4:11-15

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

It is the responsibility of the five-fold ministerial callings to perfect the Body of Christ, to bring it to the unity of the faith and to grow it up to a perfect man, the measure of the stature of Christ.

We must understand that the work of the ministry must begin in the conscience. That is the workplace for the apostolic ministry. It is the place where the high priest must enter to minister to the new creature in the presence of the Lord.

II Corinthians 4:2

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Before the priest could enter the Holy of Holies he had to offer a blood sacrifice for himself. He could not enter the presence of the Lord without the covering of blood over his own sins. Likewise, the sacrifice which he offered for the people had to be pure and without spot or blemish.

When the priests of today work the ministry of reconciliation, they must carry the pure Word of God to the spirit of man. It is the spirit or conscience that is the knower or a better word might be . . . preceptor of truth. It is the conscience that is able to comprehend the thing of God. He was created to understand the Word of God as it is presented to him. That is why Adam and Eve understood what it meant to sin against God. It is the conscience that can comprehend and apprehend God.

The Word of God and the deliverer of the Word must be commended to the conscience of men. This is the work place. This is the place where truth can be discerned, both in the saved and the unsaved.

I Timothy 3:9

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

As Paul was instructing Timothy concerning the ordination of deacons, he made mention of the fact that the mystery of the faith, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory, is held in the conscience. This is the residence of the Spirit of God which is the manifestation of the mystery.

Hebrews 9:9

Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

PERFECTION IS IN THE CONSCIENCE FIRST. It is created in the righteousness of God, which makes it innocent regarding sin. However, it starts out a babe in the Lord. It is purged and cleansed,

now it must grow up into that which has apprehended it. The spirit lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. To alienate it from the Word of God is to cause it to remain in weakness.

II Corinthians 5:18

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Reconcile – 1. To re-establish friendship between.

2. To settle or resolve, as a dispute.

3. To bring (oneself) to accept.

4. To make consistent and compatible.

Webster’s Dictionary

One thing I want to say here is that the regeneration process is not one that usurps authority over the human spirit. It provided the spirit with the nature of God. However, it did not rob us of our ability to choose to serve the righteousness living in us.

THE SPIRIT OR CONSCIENCE IS FREE FROM SIN AND WILL NEVER SIN AGAIN FOR THE SEED OF GOD REMAINS IN IT.

Hebrews 10:1-2

1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

Nevertheless, the Word of God declares:

James 4:17

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

We must be educated in the things pertaining to God and godliness.

Colossians 3:10

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

The new creature must be built up in the knowledge of God. As he grows in the knowledge of God, that knowledge is then shed abroad in the heart.

Ephesians 4:22-24

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

II Corinthians 4:16

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

The knowledge of God insists that we put on the new man. The outer man and the soul, which is the spirit of the mind must clothe themselves in the righteousness of the Spirit.

Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Servitude must come from the conscience. As we go further into our leadership training we will discover the amazing world of the Royal Priesthood. Those of you who may not have had the opportunity to attend such a summit, should order the materials from Leadership Training 2001.

REFERENCE SCRIPTURES

Hebrews 10:22

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

I Peter 3:21

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: