THECcHURCH PART THREE

THE CHURCH (PART THREE)

The Christian organization began to enlarge in numbers. Clinging to home base, safe and sound, was quickly becoming a ‘no option.” Jesus had clearly instructed that the Love that He shared with the disciples and His followers be given out to all the world. There was a sort of acceptance of the Christian movement and a mild welcoming of their words in many places where they taught. Paul made journeys outward, guided by the holy spirit and preached Jesus Christ. Often he selected worthy companions to accompany him. Though half Jew and half Greek, Timothy was chosen on one occasion and was so well received among the brethren that Paul called his son.

Acts 16: 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. 6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.”

Now, we know that there is one church and one body in Christ Jesus, However, there are many church groups. Unlike modern day churches that are separated and divided with denominational beliefs and reinterpreted doctrine, these diversely locate church groups all believed the basics required to become Christians. They all entered into the Church believing in the sacrificial shedding of blood of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection from the dead. Churches today, of all times, need to return to the basics and unite as Christians. Christianity does not call us from mode of worshiping God but directs our walk within it. Denominational diversity spurned by pride, prejudice, and sin shuts out the truths of God Only the guidance of Holy Spirit through His grace makes way for them into the understanding and affections. And the Lord alone can open the heart to receive and believe his Word. It is imperative that we believe in Jesus Christ as Lord. He is the way, the truth and the life. There is no coming to God as a Father, but by the Son as Mediator. Acts 20: 27 “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

It is often those within that cause the most division and disruption. Every man and woman seems to want it their wan and forget that it is God’s or no way. Satan’s way is no way but a plunge into hell eternal. We know Satan cannot tell the whole truth but he will declare the most important truths, masked in deception, when he can thereby serve his purposes. But, much damage is done to the real servants of Christ, by Satan guided perishinors who are confounded with them by careless observers. Those who do good by drawing men from sin, may expect to meet Satan positioned obstructions. While they teach men to fear God, to believe in Christ, to forsake sin, and to live godly lives, they will meet resistance from lackadaisical church members who resent the truth revealing their weaknesses. We re told that as we see the day growing near we must assemble ourselves together even more and uplift Christ Jesus and seek lost souls; teaching them the way of life. The consolations of God to his suffering servants are both many and large. Thus we should be a happy people and pleased to do the work set for us. Anytime, out of the dark or out of the depths, we can cry unto God. There is no place or time inappropriate for prayer and lifting up our heart to God. No situation or affliction, however grievous, should hinder us from praising His Holy Name. Christians prove themselves to be of God, in that we are commanded to be just to our own lives. (1St. Timothy 3) 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. This basic belief is a must. Know God, know peace. Amen. 02-29-2020 BLL

Christianity began as a movement within Judaism. Much of the earliest proclamation of the Gospel took place in the synagogues. The Christians did not side with the Jews in their revolt against Rome beginning in 66 A.D., and by the end of the first century the church had largely separated from the synagogue. These early believers did not have church buildings to meet in. They met mostly in homes. The first church buildings did not start to appear until the early 200s. Were for worship but were not separated into but not denominations. The early church did not have denominations as we think of them today. But that does not mean they had no serious disagreements within the ranks. They did. And they did not find this surprising. They felt they were dealing with matters of ultimate truth and error-matters to be taken with the utmost seriousness even when it meant dissension. This was the forerunner of denominational separation of God’s people. The devil was in the matter. The early Christians were the targets of repeated persecutions - some of unspeakable cruelty. For example, the emperor Nero blamed the Christians for the great fire that destroyed 10 of the 14 city wards at Rome in 64 AD., a fire that Nero apparently had ordered himself. Nero used this as a partial justification for destroying of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The historian Tacitus, not a Christian, said that Nero had the believers "torn by dogs, nailed to crosses, even used as human torches to illuminate his gardens at night. "From the time of Nero (64 AD.) until the conversion of Emperor Constantine and the Edict of Milan (313 AD.), whereby Christianity was made legal, the Christian faith was officially regarded as a religio prava, an evil or depraved religion.