Organizing Christian Forces
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God is a God of order. Everything connected with heaven is in
perfect order; subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements
of the angelic host. Success can only attend order and harmonious
action. God requires order and system in His work now no less than
in the days of Israel. All who are working for Him are to labor
intelligently, not in a careless, haphazard manner. He would have His
work done with faith and exactness, that He may place the seal of His
approval upon it.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 376
.
Well-organized work must be done in the church, that its members
may understand how to impart the light to others, and thus strengthen
their own faith and increase their knowledge. As they impart that which
they have received from God, they will be confirmed in the faith. A
working church is a living church. We are built up as living stones, and
every stone is to emit light. Every Christian is compared to a precious
stone that catches the glory of God and reflects it.—
Testimonies for
the Church 6:435
.
Lessons in Perfect Organization
He [God] designs that we should learn lessons of order and organi-
zation from the perfect order instituted in the days of Moses, for the
benefit of the children of Israel.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:653
.
First Step in Church Organization
It was at the ordination of the twelve that the first step was taken
in the organization of the church that after Christ’s departure was to
carry on His work on the earth.—
The Acts of the Apostles, 18
.
Model Church Organization
The organization of the church at Jerusalem was to serve as a
model for the organization of churches in every other place where
messengers of truth should win converts to the gospel.... Later in the
history of the early church, when in various parts of the world many
groups of believers had been formed into churches, the organization of
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the church was further perfected, so that order and harmonious action
might be maintained. Every member was exhorted to act well his part.