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Evangelical · 04-27-2017, 06:15 AM

Hopefully I can clarify what is meant by the unique move of God. It is a misconception that when we say "the unique move of God" we are talking about our own ministry efforts. We are not. It is possible for us not to be in the unique move of God. We devote time, prayer and attention to the matter of getting "in the flow" or "staying in the flow". Why would we do that if we thought we are automatically "in the unique move of God"?

Put simply, "the unique move of God is the ministry that God does, not ourselves". Witness Lee would probably not say it that way but that is my best understanding. In Christianity most don't have this concept - they define ministry by what they do, and not by what God does.

Let us be clear that when we say "the unique move of God" we are talking about the move of God, not the move of ourselves. The unique move of God is not of ourselves, but of God. He is the initiator and we "go with the flow". It is our aim, desire, intention and goal to get in flow with "the unique move of God".

The unique move of God is evident in this verse:
Acts 2:47 "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

It is the Lord who is moving to add to their number. This is a clear example of the unique move of God. It is something of God not ourselves, although we must cooperate with Him in it.

Contrast this statement to that of most gospel ministries which might say "And we added to our number through our gospel outreach program". This is a move of man.

Most Christians today think that God moves in a haphazard and random way. But the history of the church and the book of Acts reveals that God moves in a purposeful and intentional way. "God is a God of order". God as an intelligent Creator brings order to the chaos of the world. God does not move in a chaotic way to spread the gospel.

A side effect of denominationalism was to bring about a view in Christianity that there are multiple ministries all started by God and doing His will. This is in contrast with the bible which presents to us only one unique ministry - the ministry "of Paul", which is to minister Christ.

In addition to the "unique move" we talk about the "unique ministry" which is related to the "one Lord", "one Christ" and "one Spirit".

The sobering thought is that very few of these gospel ministries may actually be God's move, but rather, the attempts of men to please the Lord apart from the flow of the Spirit, and not in oneness with Christ. Some may say that is arrogant, but actually I'm just paraphrasing Matt 7:21 "many will say to me... Lord did I not do this.. or that".

Really when we think about it how can multiple ministries be possible if God is a God of order? On the one hand God starts a ministry that brings about baptism by full immersion, and starts another ministry that baptizes by sprinkling. One ministry that furthers the cause of the Pope and another which brings about tongue speaking and rolling on the floor in "holy laughter". How can God be the author of such contradiction and confusion? Did God raise up an apostle for the tongue speakers, and an apostle for the baptizers, and an apostle for the Papists and give each their own heavenly vision experience? Of course not.

The bible is fairly clear that there is only one unique move of God:

Acts 26:19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to THE heavenly vision.

Paul does not say "I was not disobedient to "a" or "my" heavenly vision".
Paul does not tell others "well I've had my heavenly vision on the road to Damascus.. have you had yours yet?"

Paul says THE heavenly vision. Paul knew that what he experienced was not just for his personal spirituality or edification, or even for his personal salvation. This vision he experienced guided his whole life and ministry from that point forward. It even touches us today - when we read the New Testament written by Paul, we are touching the one heavenly vision that Paul had.

Paul nowhere entertains the thought that others may have a different heavenly vision. He goes so far as to say "my gospel" in Romans 16:25 and other places, as if his gospel and "the gospel" are one and the same. When he says "my gospel" he does not mean there are different gospels. There is only one gospel (Gal 1:6-8). Similarly, when we say "my ministry" we should be speaking of the one unique ministry of God. This concept of one ministry is not understood by those in denominations.
When they read the bible they do not see the one ministry of God, but they see each practical aspect of the one ministry as distinct and different ministries. E.g. a "teaching ministry", "evangelism ministry", "children's ministry". They define ministry by what they do, and not by what God does (Acts 2:47).

Gill's commentary on this verse helps explain:
I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision; to Christ himself, who appeared from heaven in so much light and glory, and spoke unto him, and appointed him what he should be, and do, and declared what use he should be of: he did not disbelieve what Christ said, nor was he disobedient to the orders he gave, but immediately set about the work he called him to, without consulting flesh and blood; see Galatians 1:16.

We cannot be in the flow of God, in the "unique move of God" if we are merely carrying out the wishes of a man-made organization according to our job description or organizations "vision statement".

It is the difference between "being set apart for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:1-4) and "working for the Lord because I or my denomination thinks its a good thing to do". To be in the unique move of God requires the Lord's leading and our willingness and cooperation to be led.

04-27-2017, 06:15 AM	#11
Evangelical Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 3,965	Clarifying The Unique Move of God Hopefully I can clarify what is meant by the unique move of God. It is a misconception that when we say "the unique move of God" we are talking about our own ministry efforts. We are not. It is possible for us not to be in the unique move of God. We devote time, prayer and attention to the matter of getting "in the flow" or "staying in the flow". Why would we do that if we thought we are automatically "in the unique move of God"? Put simply, "the unique move of God is the ministry that God does, not ourselves". Witness Lee would probably not say it that way but that is my best understanding. In Christianity most don't have this concept - they define ministry by what they do, and not by what God does. Let us be clear that when we say "the unique move of God" we are talking about the move of God, not the move of ourselves. The unique move of God is not of ourselves, but of God. He is the initiator and we "go with the flow". It is our aim, desire, intention and goal to get in flow with "the unique move of God". The unique move of God is evident in this verse: Acts 2:47 "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." It is the Lord who is moving to add to their number. This is a clear example of the unique move of God. It is something of God not ourselves, although we must cooperate with Him in it. Contrast this statement to that of most gospel ministries which might say "And we added to our number through our gospel outreach program". This is a move of man. Most Christians today think that God moves in a haphazard and random way. But the history of the church and the book of Acts reveals that God moves in a purposeful and intentional way. "God is a God of order". God as an intelligent Creator brings order to the chaos of the world. God does not move in a chaotic way to spread the gospel. A side effect of denominationalism was to bring about a view in Christianity that there are multiple ministries all started by God and doing His will. This is in contrast with the bible which presents to us only one unique ministry - the ministry "of Paul", which is to minister Christ. In addition to the "unique move" we talk about the "unique ministry" which is related to the "one Lord", "one Christ" and "one Spirit". The sobering thought is that very few of these gospel ministries may actually be God's move, but rather, the attempts of men to please the Lord apart from the flow of the Spirit, and not in oneness with Christ. Some may say that is arrogant, but actually I'm just paraphrasing Matt 7:21 "many will say to me... Lord did I not do this.. or that". Really when we think about it how can multiple ministries be possible if God is a God of order? On the one hand God starts a ministry that brings about baptism by full immersion, and starts another ministry that baptizes by sprinkling. One ministry that furthers the cause of the Pope and another which brings about tongue speaking and rolling on the floor in "holy laughter". How can God be the author of such contradiction and confusion? Did God raise up an apostle for the tongue speakers, and an apostle for the baptizers, and an apostle for the Papists and give each their own heavenly vision experience? Of course not. The bible is fairly clear that there is only one unique move of God: Acts 26:19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to THE heavenly vision. Paul does not say "I was not disobedient to "a" or "my" heavenly vision". Paul does not tell others "well I've had my heavenly vision on the road to Damascus.. have you had yours yet?" Paul says THE heavenly vision. Paul knew that what he experienced was not just for his personal spirituality or edification, or even for his personal salvation. This vision he experienced guided his whole life and ministry from that point forward. It even touches us today - when we read the New Testament written by Paul, we are touching the one heavenly vision that Paul had. Paul nowhere entertains the thought that others may have a different heavenly vision. He goes so far as to say "my gospel" in Romans 16:25 and other places, as if his gospel and "the gospel" are one and the same. When he says "my gospel" he does not mean there are different gospels. There is only one gospel (Gal 1:6-8). Similarly, when we say "my ministry" we should be speaking of the one unique ministry of God. This concept of one ministry is not understood by those in denominations. When they read the bible they do not see the one ministry of God, but they see each practical aspect of the one ministry as distinct and different ministries. E.g. a "teaching ministry", "evangelism ministry", "children's ministry". They define ministry by what they do, and not by what God does (Acts 2:47). Gill's commentary on this verse helps explain: I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision; to Christ himself, who appeared from heaven in so much light and glory, and spoke unto him, and appointed him what he should be, and do, and declared what use he should be of: he did not disbelieve what Christ said, nor was he disobedient to the orders he gave, but immediately set about the work he called him to, without consulting flesh and blood; see Galatians 1:16. We cannot be in the flow of God, in the "unique move of God" if we are merely carrying out the wishes of a man-made organization according to our job description or organizations "vision statement". It is the difference between "being set apart for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:1-4) and "working for the Lord because I or my denomination thinks its a good thing to do". To be in the unique move of God requires the Lord's leading and our willingness and cooperation to be led.