5 Smooth Stones

immediately, regardless of how revolutionary and signi fi cantly important it was. He brought it back to Jerusalem and relayed it, along with the testimony of the trusted witnesses who were with him, to a council of apostles and leadership.Acts 11:18 “When they heard these things they became silent; and they glori fi ed God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." Clearly there were dissenting and divergent views and teachings in the early church. But they were able to judge the ma tt ers with biblical clarity and bring about good results for the church. It is just as possible, and more imperative, that we once again allow for righteous judgment in the church. The people and churches of God su ff er for lack of discernment and proper judgment. When the ascension gifts given by the Lord are allowed to function within the leadership of the church, the judgments of God can more readily be released to the church and to the world with all the bene fi ts, including mercy, and righteousness, which are released with them. It is important to note that Jesus sent a special gift with a long suit of wisdom from heaven in his apostles, which combined with the leadership of the church, can restore to us sound judgment over important ma tt ers which can release more of heaven on earth. ENDNOTES: 56 Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved. 57 Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

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