The Power of Three

 

I love how walking in the Spirit makes every moment of every day a potential Divine encounter with Him. I'm substitute teaching one day and there's a box in the classroom full of painted stones. I close my eyes and reach in and randomly pick one. This was written on it - 

                                                      "THE POWER OF THREE"

Well now, that got me thinking! Two is better than one but three is best! "Two are better than one...for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, for he has no one to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat but how can one be warm? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken".

Throughout scripture and all creation God models "The power of three" - The Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the most obvious example.  The  very core of our beings naturally and spiritually, follow this example. Atoms are composed of protons, electrons, and neutrons. We are comprised of a spirit, a soul and a body. Jesus' inner circle was made up of Peter, James and John. Peter denied Christ three times and was forgiven three times. In the heavens we see the sun (Jesus), the moon (believers) and the stars ( angels). Our lives are composed of thoughts, words and deeds. "and now abideth faith, hope, love, these three". Marriage is between a husband,  a wife and the Christ of God. We are told, once we believe, to continue in 1) The apostle's doctrine and fellowship 2) breaking of bread 3) prayers.

It is my sincere belief that every church body should institute the power of three - "a plurality of elders" should make decisions that concern the body, with the body's blessings and input. Like our government in America, wisely composed of three branches (Divinely inspired i suspect), the Executive, the Legislative and Judicial,  no one man should have all authority and decision making powers in a community of believers. Three elders should model the kind of unity the Godhead share. Each should esteem the others more highly than themselves. All should be men given to a lifestyle of prayer and fasting, full of the Holy Spirit. All should agree on all major decisions, and money received should go to a "building fund" - not a physical building but to God's temple made without hands, his people. The poor, the widows, the fatherless and orphans should be well cared for. The elders should not take any money for themselves unless they themselves are among the needy. Those who work are never to provide funds for the lazy. All who teach should be willing to have their words examined and should always be open to correction and discussion concerning their teachings. While one is ministering, the other two should encourage and support him "but Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands  the one on the one side and the other on the other side." What a beautiful picture of God's heart for all ministry, indeed, the Father, Son and Spirit are constantly esteeming each other more highly, and honoring and respecting the other's ministry. And i will say this too - if churches would support the apostles and prophets like Aaron and Hur did Moses, the victory would be assured each time we go to battle. 

Two should act as "armor bearers" shielding the third who is ministering. All three should make continual intercession for the other two and for the body. Remember- an elder's primary responsibility is not to make all decisions, or even to provide direction and guidance to the local community of believers- no, their duty is to seek the Father's will, and express his heart, always. Amen brethren, amen.