The first churches after Christ vs. today’s church

[Blik]

We know the first churches had so much power that Christianity grew even in the face of the severe persecution of the church. We are going to be facing the same kind of persecution. Do we have the strength to face death for our faith?

How can we make our church stronger so we have this much power again?

 

[Roughsoul1991]

We know the first churches had so much power that Christianity grew even in the face of the severe persecution of the church. We are going to be facing the same kind of persecution. Do we have the strength to face death for our faith?

How can we make our church stronger so we have this much power again?

That sorta power is the difference between Peters 3x denial of Jesus vs the moment after they receive the Spirit. The Church will need the Holy Spirit to move. And as always when hard times hit, they separate the sheep from the goats. The followers of Christ will only seek God more earnestly and compassionately. This obedience brings forth the willing vessels for the Spirit to move. You will see more of these in the coming times who boldly resist the government, tyrannical leaders, and who use their platform to boldly proclaim the Words of God. People will either take heed of the times and the Word to repent or will increasingly rebel until judgment comes.

To face death we must decide is it worth it. A soldier who defends both country and security for their family on the home front. A police officer who defends civilians and takes criminals off the street. A coal miner who wants to support their family. Or the risk of car accidents when we drive. What is the risk/reward? Are the stakes important enough? The right to religion and conscience? Are those worth dying over? Liberty?

Is the destination of your eternal home worth living and dying for? True love for something could never mentally abandon that individual. Emotionally some may respond as Peter in denial out of fear, but God also understands how weak we can be. Peter was forgiven and Jesus already knew he would deny Him except Jesus still prepared Peter to be the rock/foundation of the Church and the cornerstone as Christ Jesus. Basically, God knows the heart of the believer.

 

[lenna]

We know the first churches had so much power that Christianity grew even in the face of the severe persecution of the church. We are going to be facing the same kind of persecution. Do we have the strength to face death for our faith?

How can we make our church stronger so we have this much power again?

it's not about our strength. it is about the Holy Spirit in us strengthening us

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8


that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Ephesians 3:16

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Ephesians 6:10

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 1 Timothy 1:12

and there are many many more, including in the OT

 

[garee]

We know the first churches had so much power that Christianity grew even in the face of the severe persecution of the church. We are going to be facing the same kind of persecution. Do we have the strength to face death for our faith?

How can we make our church stronger so we have this much power again?

I would offer. Return to our first love by doing the first works of His Spirit working in us to both will and do his good pleasure. (believe God)

Sola scriptura is the reforming restoring authority in any generation or Church setting .Those who are given ears to hear what the Spirit who works in us declares.

Revelation 2: 4-7 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

 

[CS1]

We know the first churches had so much power that Christianity grew even in the face of the severe persecution of the church. We are going to be facing the same kind of persecution. Do we have the strength to face death for our faith?

How can we make our church stronger so we have this much power again?

receive what the Earlier Church did the empowerment of the Holy Spirit Acts 1:8 as the Lord Jesus said would happen

 

[Runningman]

We know the first churches had so much power that Christianity grew even in the face of the severe persecution of the church. We are going to be facing the same kind of persecution. Do we have the strength to face death for our faith?

How can we make our church stronger so we have this much power again?

Well, for starters, we shouldn't have fear of death. I know that sometimes people do, but that can be overcome once someone fully trusts in the promises of God.

That's it. Just trust God and the rest will fall into place.

We can reach a point where our own comfort isn't as important as the glory of God. So persecution or hardships become relatively minor annoyances enroute to our eternal destination. I hope that makes sense.

1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4

 

[Blik]

it's not about our strength. it is about the Holy Spirit in us strengthening us

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8


that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Ephesians 3:16

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Ephesians 6:10

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 1 Timothy 1:12

and there are many many more, including in the OT

Then why doesn't the Holy Spirit lead to unity? There are many opposing interpretations of scripture, all claiming to have the Holy Spirit's approval yet the Holy Spirit only speaks what is of God and God is in scripture. There is much judgment of anyone who does not agree with their private interpretation in today's churches. Accepting Christ is not enough for them. There are enemies made using the church for an excuse to become an enemy.

 

[Blik]

receive what the Earlier Church did the empowerment of the Holy Spirit Acts 1:8 as the Lord Jesus said would happen

I agree it is through the Holy Spirit we gain knowledge and power, but what the Holy Spirit tells us must be checked with scripture for accuracy, that it is not our fleshly minds fooling us.

When Constantine decided to unite Christianity by holding a council of church leaders, Constantine told them it was the Holy Spirit that was among them. That first council set up the doctrines of the church. Constantine told them the Holy Spirit gave them the right to do that. Many doctrines followed scripture, but over the years many doctrines did not, like establishing that buying indulgences absolved sin.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

The first church had Christ as their power and the power of security in knowing where they were headed no matter what so that they could see persecution as a momentary light affliction

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Then why doesn't the Holy Spirit lead to unity? There are many opposing interpretations of scripture, all claiming to have the Holy Spirit's approval yet the Holy Spirit only speaks what is of God and God is in scripture. There is much judgment of anyone who does not agree with their private interpretation in today's churches. Accepting Christ is not enough for them. There are enemies made using the church for an excuse to become an enemy.

1 pride
2 satan
3 human nature

 

[Blain]

We know the first churches had so much power that Christianity grew even in the face of the severe persecution of the church. We are going to be facing the same kind of persecution. Do we have the strength to face death for our faith?

How can we make our church stronger so we have this much power again?

This power is going to come again and even more so than when the apostles at Pentecost had, God has been creating for himself a children to walk in his power and spirit like never before and this anointing is already on it's way.
As far as death goes if we are given the decision to either accept their laws or the mark or whatever or die I will say I am ready to be with my Lord

 

[lenna]

Then why doesn't the Holy Spirit lead to unity? There are many opposing interpretations of scripture, all claiming to have the Holy Spirit's approval yet the Holy Spirit only speaks what is of God and God is in scripture. There is much judgment of anyone who does not agree with their private interpretation in today's churches. Accepting Christ is not enough for them. There are enemies made using the church for an excuse to become an enemy.

well, He has a problem when folks deny what is write/right in front of their faces

the other problem, are people who are led by a spirit, but not the Holy Spirit and yes that can and does happen to Christians as well

as for the rest of your post, well, maybe just accepting Christ is not enough for you. why blame everyone else (rhetorical question)

 

[lenna]

This power is going to come again and even more so than when the apostles at Pentecost had, God has been creating for himself a children to walk in his power and spirit like never before and this anointing is already on it's way.
As far as death goes if we are given the decision to either accept their laws or the mark or whatever or die I will say I am ready to be with my Lord

yes? and when and why?

do people not understand the persecution the first believers were under? how many died because of Christ?

of course I understand the dissenters are told they have no faith

 

[lenna]

But again Blik, are you questioning the verses I posted?

you made no reference to them at all.

people forget there is a whole other world apart from the US. for example, believers in China must depend on the Holy Spirit for strength and they are not always taken out of a bad situation, but often actually put into one

there are people with no access to Bibles or if caught with one, it is immediate arrest

 

[crossnote]

How can we make our church stronger so we have this much power again?

Jesus Christ is our strength, we can't make anything stronger especially that which belongs to Him.

BTW, when I read of the Corinthian Church and a few of the 7 in Revelation, well honestly...they were a mess.

 

[CS1]

I agree it is through the Holy Spirit we gain knowledge and power, but what the Holy Spirit tells us must be checked with scripture for accuracy, that it is not our fleshly minds fooling us.

When Constantine decided to unite Christianity by holding a council of church leaders, Constantine told them it was the Holy Spirit that was among them. That first council set up the doctrines of the church. Constantine told them the Holy Spirit gave them the right to do that. Many doctrines followed scripture, but over the years many doctrines did not, like establishing that buying indulgences absolved sin.

all doctrine must come from the word of God.

 

[lenna]

Jesus Christ is our strength, we can't make anything stronger especially that which belongs to Him.

BTW, when I read of the Corinthian Church and a few of the 7 in Revelation, well honestly...they were a mess.

isn't it great that the Bible does not try to support some kind of perfectionism? all the lumps, bumps and wrinkles are there

and

our only hope is in God

people have (well some people) have this idea the first church of believers was heaven on earth and it really was not

human nature and all we are only perfect in Jesus and that is what God sees

 

[Blain]

yes? and when and why?

do people not understand the persecution the first believers were under? how many died because of Christ?

of course I understand the dissenters are told they have no faith

I don't know when or why that is just what God told me and showed me. I cannot speak for anyone else but yes I do understand the hell they went through and the many deaths but if we are not willing to go through this to be beaten and killed for his name sake then we must not really appreciate what he went through for us

 

[posthuman]

We know the first churches had so much power that Christianity grew even in the face of the severe persecution of the church. We are going to be facing the same kind of persecution. Do we have the strength to face death for our faith?

How can we make our church stronger so we have this much power again?

frankly, shrink, for one thing.
i suspect that there are a lot of people in churches who like to call themselves Christian but who aren't particularly interested in Christ.

how does 'a family' survive something like a fire or a flood? they escape with their lives and each other, and the fire takes all that 'stuff' they didn't actually need. persecution is refinement; the dross is removed and what remains is silver

'the Church' will survive without fail, because it is kept by the power of God, and the gates of hell can't prevail against it.
'churchianity' will be swept away like a house built on sand - this is why there will be a falling away; because God separates wheat from chaff, so that what remains is what is good for food and what is taken away is what was not meet. it is for our good, and His glory, that 'those who were never really part of us' go out from us, proving who they were.

 

[lenna]

I don't know when or why that is just what God told me and showed me. I cannot speak for anyone else but yes I do understand the hell they went through and the many deaths but if we are not willing to go through this to be beaten and killed for his name sake then we must not really appreciate what he went through for us

I was referring to this Blain: This power is going to come again and even more so than when the apostles at Pentecost had, God has been creating for himself a children to walk in his power and spirit like never before and this anointing is already on it's way.

I do not see this in scripture. it seems things will become worse. I go by scripture. your comment that people will walk in this power and spirit like never before does not seem to follow what we read in scripture

not meaning to pick on you, but do you see that in scripture?