God created the world so that we could live in love and unity with him. But we messed it up, and ever since then God has been trying to restore his creation. He is in the business of making all things new.
He is gathering a new people that belong to him and live in unity with one another. He was doing this when he called Abraham. He was doing this when he brought his people out of Egypt. He was doing this when he sent the prophets to Israel. And he was doing this when he sent his Son.
Jesus called twelve Apostles. He was forming a new people. He poured out His Spirit on them at Pentecost. Ever since then God has continued to work at restoring His creation. Christians throughout the ages have been bringing in the Kingdom of God. One way that God is doing this is in the People of Praise.
The People of Praise is a specific way of living out God’s call. In response to his call to live in unity, it is a community. Members put our lives in common. We live near or with one another. We share as many meals as possible together. We get together on Saturday nights for a big meal that we call a Lord’s Day celebration, where we take some time from our busy weeks to remember all the blessings of God and share time together. Men and women regularly get together in groups to share their lives, pray, plan outreach, and have fun. Members make a covenant, or promise, to live their lives together for the rest of their lives.
Following the Lord’s call to unity, especially among Christians, the People of Praise is ecumenical. The community is not a church, and most members are active participants of their respective parishes and congregations. We do not resolve doctrinal issues, but we do not ignore them either. We live our lives together as mush as possible and pray for unity.
In response to Jesus’ call to be a light to the nations, the community has a variety of outreaches. Many members work in the secular world, and shine the light of Christ by bringing excellence to their work. The community has also started several schools that impart basic ordered knowledge and prepare students to wisely govern God’s creation. The community has released many publications, put on conferences, spread the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and so much more.
The People of Praise is charismatic. This means that we experience the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are able to hear the word of the Lord through prophesy and follow him where he leads us. We are able to pray with others for healing, deliver men from the demons that afflict them, and do things that only God can do.
The People of Praise is a really complex thing. There’s a lot to it, but there is also a lot to life, so it is to be expected. The best way to understand the People of Praise is to check it out. Talking about something can only communicate so much.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Praise God for the People of Praise
Well, I think I will start this blog off on a firm foundation by praising God for what he has done.
In high school I was an atheist. I had been raised an atheist but I was attending a Christian school (Trinity School at River Ridge) because my parents admired the curriculum. At Trinity you get to read all the classics, learn Latin, perform Shakespeare, create beautiful art and struggle with some of the most amazing mathematical problems. And you also take four years of scripture.
In our Christ-haunted society I had become familiar with the basic themes of Christianity and I was able to treat scripture study as an interesting study of human religion, philosophy, poetry and history. But in my junior year the Lord moved my heart.
We were reading the book of Matthew and it felt like I was hearing the Sermon on the Mount for the first time. I think I had the same reaction as the people listening, “Here is someone who can teach with authority.” But it was more than that, “Here is someone worth giving up everything for.” But how do you give up everything for Jesus?
There were guys in my class who were talking about building the Kingdom of God here and now. They were members of the People of Praise, a Christian community. I decided I would throw my lot in with them, and I started working with them.
Before I could start working though, I needed to receive the Holy Spirit. We can accomplish nothing apart from God. So I was prayed over for the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Since that moment the Lord has blessed me beyond measure. I love reading the scriptures now. I received the gift of tongues. I have been able to forgive. My mother was healed of cancer. My mother and father found the Lord and gave their lives to Him. My friends have come to faith in Jesus, and have joined in this work of building God’s Kingdom. I have never looked back and look forward to what he has in store in the years to come. Praise Him!
In high school I was an atheist. I had been raised an atheist but I was attending a Christian school (Trinity School at River Ridge) because my parents admired the curriculum. At Trinity you get to read all the classics, learn Latin, perform Shakespeare, create beautiful art and struggle with some of the most amazing mathematical problems. And you also take four years of scripture.
In our Christ-haunted society I had become familiar with the basic themes of Christianity and I was able to treat scripture study as an interesting study of human religion, philosophy, poetry and history. But in my junior year the Lord moved my heart.
We were reading the book of Matthew and it felt like I was hearing the Sermon on the Mount for the first time. I think I had the same reaction as the people listening, “Here is someone who can teach with authority.” But it was more than that, “Here is someone worth giving up everything for.” But how do you give up everything for Jesus?
There were guys in my class who were talking about building the Kingdom of God here and now. They were members of the People of Praise, a Christian community. I decided I would throw my lot in with them, and I started working with them.
Before I could start working though, I needed to receive the Holy Spirit. We can accomplish nothing apart from God. So I was prayed over for the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Since that moment the Lord has blessed me beyond measure. I love reading the scriptures now. I received the gift of tongues. I have been able to forgive. My mother was healed of cancer. My mother and father found the Lord and gave their lives to Him. My friends have come to faith in Jesus, and have joined in this work of building God’s Kingdom. I have never looked back and look forward to what he has in store in the years to come. Praise Him!
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