Opening a new series on building individuals rather than organizations, this message lays out several different views on how the seven virtues of 2 Peter 1 are added to a believer’s life, then shows from Acts 3-4 that this growth is progressive, beginning the moment a person is born again.
Scripture Reference
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge …
Key Points: Building the Individual, Not an Organization
- The church’s purpose is to build individuals to the full stature of Christ, not to build an organization — every believer already has the character of God potentially within them at new birth, but it must grow into manifestation.
- Different views on how the virtues are added were weighed side by side: that they come automatically at the new birth, that they must be deliberately worked out through trial and testing, and that all of them must be present before the Holy Ghost can even be received — the message favors a progressive growth that begins at new birth and continues through testing.
- Acts 3-4 illustrates this order in the early disciples: they had faith at Pentecost, then added virtue (power) when they healed the lame man, then added knowledge when they asked God for boldness to preach.
- Growth toward maturity happens through trials, especially in relationships such as marriage, which build patience and character rather than through instant transformation — the goal being a believer whose life itself testifies of Christ.