I recently received a request from a brother in Africa that read as follows.
I give glory to God for the great work you are doing for His Kingdom. I write to seek for affiliation/partnership with your church...I want you to accept us as an affiliate member of your church to prove covering for us. Should there is any additional information you may need please let me know.
I do not doubt the sincerity of this request. I am sure someone has told this brother He must have a covering. The "shepherding movement" that was once popular is all but dead; however this language was picked up by many. My reply was as follows.
11 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
you and your church, if you be in the faith of Jesus Christ, are the bride and wife of Jesus, He is our covering. If any church attempts to be a covering for another than they are a wife attempting to take for themselves the place and authority of their husband. I can offer you my fellowship as a brother but Jesus alone can be your covering as a husband.
Many in the church still speak of an apostolic covering or say that their anointing covers those who submit to their authority. Think of what was just said. Can any man defend such by the scripture. It is the gentile kings desire to have rule over others not the desire of ministers of God.
There is one mediator between God and men THE MAN Christ Jesus.
All power and authority is delivered unto Me (Jesus)
there is one anointed of God and He abides in all who place their faith in Him.
I know this post is mostly rant but I can not get it out of my mind.
