The greatest promise in the Bible is in Matthew 16:18, when the Lord Jesus promised that He would build His church. The apostle Paul strengthened this word in 1 Corinthians 3:9, saying that we the believers are God’s building, while the apostle Peter also referred to this building in his writings (1 Pet 2:5). No doubt, the building of the church is a central matter in the New Testament and in our present Christian experience.
While there aren’t many portions in the scriptures that direct the believers how to meet, one clear portion is outlined in 1 Corinthians chapter 14. In verse 26 Paul points out that whenever the believers come together to meet each one has a portion to contribute, and that portion accomplishes a most crucial task – the building up of the church. In this chapter, it is prophesying which builds up the church (1 Cor 14:26, 4, 12).
To prophesy here is to speak for the Lord and primarily to speak forth the Lord, that is, to minister Christ into people. This is the main element in the church meeting. The emphasis by the apostle Paul implies that the prophesying in the church meeting does not mean foretelling, which can include negative elements, but rather the ministering of Christ, which always builds up and encourages the believers, even giving grace to those who hear (vs. 4, 12, 26, 31; Eph. 4:29)
The speaking and fellowship in the church is not relegated to one member, but rather to all (1 Cor 14:24, 26, 31). In the prophesying meeting of the church in Jackson, all can prophesy one by one. This is the Word and this is our practice. As members of his Body (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor 12:12) we should endeavor to build up one another in love (Eph. 4:16) for the growth and maturity of one another in Christ (Eph. 2:21-22, 4:12; 1 Thes. 5:11; Rom. 14:19).
the church in Jackson 