Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out her seven pillars.
Laid out in chronological order within the Book of Acts are seven pillars or principles Jesus gave the apostles to build the New Testament church. These pillars are what made the first century church so powerful and they have never changed. High Point Church has made every effort to build upon these seven pillars and is a work in progress developing a New Testament church in a modern day world.
Pillar 1 Mission – The Great Commission
Jesus gave the great commission - to make disciples of all nations - to the apostles and to the church. This mandate has not changed. As His people we are called to be witnesses to help people not only believe in Jesus, but live their lives dedicated to Him and His Word.
Pillar 2 Majesty – Praise and Worship
When Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles’ first response was to worship Him. It was the one way they could stay connected to Him after His departure. Nothing has changed – it is the only way we can maintain intimacy, glorify and honor Him and feel His heartbeat as we carry out His will on earth.
Pillar 3 Mantle – The Holy Spirit
Before Jesus left the earth, He promised the apostles that He would send a Helper; One who would be their comforter, counselor and teacher. When the Holy Spirit came, He confirmed the two roles that He would play in our lives; to change us from the inside out to make us more like Jesus and to empower us to bring the life changing message of the Gospel to the world.
Pillar 4 Message – Jesus and Him Crucified, Buried and Resurrected
People hear many messages today that have nothing to do with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet this is the only message that will free them from their fear, despair and hopelessness. Only hope invested in a God who said He loved them so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for their sins will bring freedom. We have the wonderful opportunity of taking this life-changing message to our neighbors, our workplace and around the world knowing that the God of the universe will back us up with His power every time it is shared.
Pillar 5 Methods
The New Testament church met from house to house and in corporate worship in the temple. Today we are called to this same structure, meeting house to house in small groups and in the corporate setting for worship and prayer. Within the small group structure four key elements are present: Discipleship (mentoring), Fellowship, Communion and Prayer. It is in the intimacy of a home group where people grow in the Word, grow together as brothers and sisters in the Lord and receive communion and pray for the needs of the church, others and themselves.
Pillar 6 Material Possessions
God is a loving and giving God and He has challenged His children to be the same. From the returning to Him of the first 10% of our income in the tithe to the giving of offerings from our heart, we are established in a pattern of giving that will produce fruit and prosperity in our lives. This prosperity isn’t about the number of things you own, but the number of times you are able to give while having your needs met for you and your family.
Pillar 7 Miracles
When we are focused on the Great Commission; - the winning of souls for the Kingdom; when we worship our great and Holy God; when we are led and empowered by the Holy Spirit and deliver the message of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of the world and worship and learn together in small groups and give joyfully and abundantly – we have created the environment for miracles. Miracles occur in an atmosphere of obedience. As we walk in obedience to the structure God has created for the church, miracles will be the norm as we reach out to a lost and dying world.
Association of Seven Pillars Churches