Believer's Handbook
out of the pew, into your calling
by
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Character is defined as the complex of mental and
ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation.
These mental and ethical traits are learned. They can be changed and refined
during our life. Our character is what people see. Our intentions are what
people do not see. Character causes us to react the way we do. Character is
what you would do in a given situation if you knew no one would find out. What
we want to discuss is the character traits that are available to the believer.
The believer’s goal is to attain the character of Christ.
Paul was a man of character. Before his conversion,
he was true to his beliefs or character. He believed what he was doing was
right, but people saw him as a murderer. Christians were afraid of him. After
his conversion, his character radically changed. What made the difference? He
met the One who could change his character. Jesus can change your character.
Paul’s born again experience changed his life forever, but it was a growing
process. What really changed was his attitude. He became a servant to Jesus
Christ. By having a servant’s attitude, it was possible for his character to
change. Since Paul was “in Christ,” Christ was the leader. He called the shots.
He made the decisions. Paul’s job was to follow Christ’s example. When we
speak of Paul’s ethics we simply have in mind “his ways which are in Christ;
his instruction as to how one ought to walk and please God; and that pattern of
his teaching which he committed to the Christians.” Paul used the Old Testament for the basis of his new
characteristics. He knew the Word could change people’s lives from hate to
love, from despair to joy, and from discouragement to hope. It is this process
of change and the new characteristics, we want to have in our lives as servants
of Jesus.
“And God said, let the earth bring forth grass, the
herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose
seed is in itself, upon the earth; and it was so.” (Gen 1:11)
I like to call this scripture the law of
reproduction. It is a principle that all creation follows. It is the principle
of reproduction that works in the natural and supernatural realm. God spoke it
into existence and has not retracted it.
“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest,
and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”
(Gen 8:22)
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About the Book
The Believer’s Handbook shows that every Believer has a ministry in the Body of Christ. We are to be involved, not just sitting in the pew. All aspects of church life and growth depend upon our functioning as a unit. Some of the most miserable people are Christians wanting to do Jesus’ bidding, but not knowing what to do. The Believer’s Handbook is the answer to their dilemma. It shows what ministries are available, how to discharge these ministries, and the Trinity’s involvement in these ministries.
It is written for the Christian sitting in the pew and wanting to be involved in church work, for the new convert beginning an exciting life in Christ, and for the Five Fold Ministry as a teaching tool in their ministry.
The Believer’s Handbook reveals important aspects of church growth and the spiritual maturing of the Saints in a clear, simple teaching format.
About the Author
Joe Dockery was born again and filled with the Holy Spirit in 1969. He began his teaching ministry at home Bible studies in 1971. He taught at Trinity Bible Institute in