Bill Bailey Ministries was the name of Dr. Bill’s ministry before Word of Faith Ministries.
“Growing Up Spiritually”
Eph. 4:11-16 deals with the need for ministry gifts in the Body of Christ. Notice verse 14: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine…” And verse 15: “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things…” God’s desire for us is that we grow up spiritually the same way that we do physically. He gave the Five Fold ministry gifts of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers to the Body of Christ to: (1) help mature the saints, (2) do the work of the ministry, (3) edify the Body of Christ. (Eph. 4:12)
These ministries will be with us until “…we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a (mature) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:15) God wants us to mature, to grow up in Him. How do we grow spiritually? 1 Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.” We grow by the Word. Physical growth comes by eating physical food and by exercising. Spiritual growth comes by drinking the milk of the Word and chewing on the meat of the Word (Heb. 5:14) and exercising it in our lives, or doing it! (James 1:22)
Notice Heb. 5:12-14: “for when the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk (1 Peter 2:2) and not of strong meat (of the Word), For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the Word of righteousness: for he is as a babe (1 Cor. 3: ) But strong meat (of the Word) belongeth to them that are of full age (mature) even those who by reason of use (or “habitual use,” as the Greek says) have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” In other words, to mature we need to habitually use the Word! Make a habit of getting into God’s Word, listen to good teaching from people in which God has placed a ministry gift, and make a commitment to speak the truth (of the Word, John 17:17) in love, and you will grow up in Him!
Items of Interest in This Issue
Radio Coverage Map… Notice of upcoming Piedmont Believer’s Convention in Winston-Salem, NC
