The first churches after Christ vs. today’s church

[Blain]

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?

Yes I know that is what you were talking about. The apostles recieved the holy spirit and went through tribulation they were beaten and killed for standing for Christ, bible prophecy often times foreshadows and we see a very similar theme in revelations people being saved refusing the mark and giving up their faith and being killed for it but also that if in fact the events of the new testament is a foreshadow then that also would mean they would walk in his power in this way as well.

Another foreshadow in bible prophecy is the nine plagues in Egypt these plagues are the same kinds we see in revelation and in the Egypt plagues those with the blood of a lamb were protected this is a representation of those who are saved by the blood of the lamb in revelations The church age is coming to a close soon and when it does people will watch as the book of revelations happens as birth pains ever increasing
So if I had to guess this is going to come but the reason and purpose is for the great tribulation

 

[Guojing]

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?

Signs and wonders will return again during the tribulation

 

[pottersclay]

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.

I see it as the Holy Spirit needs to see the church move. We have been hypocrites, sluggards, and a poor example of the gift we've been given.
We have turned our back on the great commission, we move when we are called to occupy.
50% of the churches preach a false gospel.
Remember judgement comes when the faithful are disobedient. It starts in the house of the Lord.
God's word does not return void.... blessings or judgement.
The Lord calls upon his people.
If my people shall seek my face and humble their selves.

 

[Guojing]

Remember judgement comes when the faithful are disobedient. It starts in the house of the Lord.

I see you are quoting 1 Peter 4:17-18 there?

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Do you think we, as the righteous "scarcely be saved"?

 

[lenna]

Yes I know that is what you were talking about. The apostles recieved the holy spirit and went through tribulation they were beaten and killed for standing for Christ, bible prophecy often times foreshadows and we see a very similar theme in revelations people being saved refusing the mark and giving up their faith and being killed for it but also that if in fact the events of the new testament is a foreshadow then that also would mean they would walk in his power in this way as well.

Another foreshadow in bible prophecy is the nine plagues in Egypt these plagues are the same kinds we see in revelation and in the Egypt plagues those with the blood of a lamb were protected this is a representation of those who are saved by the blood of the lamb in revelations The church age is coming to a close soon and when it does people will watch as the book of revelations happens as birth pains ever increasing
So if I had to guess this is going to come but the reason and purpose is for the great tribulation

well maybe I didn't express myself quite right, but I was not talking about foreshadowing although Jesus dis say if they hated me they will hate you also

what I am saying, is that I do not believe this rosy picture some so called prophets paint, or the NAR church and so on and I was wondering about this comment of yours:

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.

anyway...

 

[Nehemiah6]

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

I suppose from your point of view, just revert back to the Law of Moses. and everything should be just fine.

 

[Blik]

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)

The problem of blaming is what my post was about. It is not Christian.

 

[Blik]

I suppose from your point of view, just revert back to the Law of Moses. and everything should be just fine.

My point of view doesn't count for anything. We are to listen to scripture, that counts. What does scripture say about law, the Law of Moses, the law of Christ, or the law of the Lord? There is Paul who wrote a lot about the law, saying it is Holy. James, brother of Christ, said we are not to follow customs of the Jews if we are gentiles. When Paul gave one purpose of the law as something to point out our sin, is that the only purpose? Christ told us if we love Him we will follow Him in obedience. Is the 119th psalm from the Lord so is it truth? I often speak about some of these things, but my speaking of them is not scripture, scripture is.

 

[Dino246]

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?

We stop bickering about the day on which we worship and start telling nonbelievers about their need for Jesus.

 

[Blik]

I see it as the Holy Spirit needs to see the church move. We have been hypocrites, sluggards, and a poor example of the gift we've been given.
We have turned our back on the great commission, we move when we are called to occupy.
50% of the churches preach a false gospel.
Remember judgement comes when the faithful are disobedient. It starts in the house of the Lord.
God's word does not return void.... blessings or judgement.
The Lord calls upon his people.
If my people shall seek my face and humble their selves.

If we were still given scripture, I wonder what it would say about the doctrines of our church today? Would it be like the praise given to the church of Smyma or errors point out like in the other six churches? We have some 22,000 different interpretations of scripture, some must have it wrong.

I am sure posters are right when they say that when the church faces persecution all through the world and not in just some areas as it is now, the remnant of the Lord will step forward.

 

[Blik]

We stop bickering about the day on which we worship and start telling nonbelievers about their need for Jesus.

To accept Christ within us is, I agree, a matter even of our life and death, and it leads to a life of joy on this earth.
To accept Christ gives us a basic message of the law, and love is at the base of all law. That means acceptance not Saturday/Sunday. Yet to promote acceptance of others, there is a demand that certain subjects may not be discussed for they always bring on judging and bickering. Blows my mind.

 

[pottersclay]

I see you are quoting 1 Peter 4:17-18 there?

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Do you think we, as the righteous "scarcely be saved"?

Yes I do, paul reminds us we were grafted in by God's grace. No man that was formed by the dirt of this earth has any righteousness no not one.

 

[Guojing]

Yes I do, paul reminds us we were grafted in by God's grace. No man that was formed by the dirt of this earth has any righteousness no not one.

Wait, you are saying we are not righteous, even after we believe Jesus died for our sins and rose on the 3rd day?

So according to what Paul teaches us in the Body of Christ, we should also expect judgement to come to us in the future?

Christ's death on the cross has not taken that away?

 

[pottersclay]

If we were still given scripture, I wonder what it would say about the doctrines of our church today? Would it be like the praise given to the church of Smyma or errors point out like in the other six churches? We have some 22,000 different interpretations of scripture, some must have it wrong.

I am sure posters are right when they say that when the church faces persecution all through the world and not in just some areas as it is now, the remnant of the Lord will step forward.

In deed it will but the question is are you that remnant? Do you want to be that remnant?
We must stop waiting for another to rise to the cause and act in the authority that Christ has given us.
The church has become stagnant. Divided and questioning it's self. Exactly what Satan wants "did God say"
The gospel it's self is power the word of the Lord is power.
Many say and believe untill I am led by the Holy Spirit I will not act. This is a lie. Jesus commanded us to go into all the world.
Now follow me here☺ were the apostles sent 2x2 before or after the upper room experience?
My scriptures say they were first sent before.
Jesus gives a parable of the faithful servant in conclusion faithful in little now receive much.
Jesus says I no longer call you servants but friends..... Abraham was a friend of God
Now Jesus before his Ascension gave the command of the upper room to receive power and understanding from the sent helper the Holy Spirit.
Paul now addresses us as saints and sons and daughters of the living God. The heirs.
My question to all is what are you waiting for. If you want to be blessed go, preach, teach what you know. More will be added on.
If the apostles refused to preach as Jesus first sent them what do you think might of happened?

The greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart mind soul....and to love your neighbor as your self.
Perfect love cast out all fear....are you afraid of rejection, confrontation, persecution, name calling, or perhaps failure. Again perfect love cast out all fear. Examine yourself get right with the Lord. Ask and you will receive knock that the door my be open. Trust not in your own understanding trust God.

 

[lenna]

The problem of blaming is what my post was about. It is not Christian.

there actually is no difference between now and then. much of the NT was written to correct error, blasphemy and immorality

the Holy Spirit has not changed yet many want to say He is no longer active

God has not changed, He is still at this moment not willing that any go to hell

Jesus is still the way, the truth and the life

you are doing what you do best here. you are dividing and causing friction

 

[lenna]

I am sure posters are right when they say that when the church faces persecution all through the world and not in just some areas as it is now, the remnant of the Lord will step forward.

and do what exactly? what do you think this power is about?

power power power

maybe fire from heaven like in the OT? let's remember what Jesus said about that

we are not Israelites

 

[garee]

and do what exactly? what do you think this power is about?

power power power

maybe fire from heaven like in the OT? let's remember what Jesus said about that

we are not Israelites

What would Israelites have to do with that power?

 

[pottersclay]

Wait, you are saying we are not righteous, even after we believe Jesus died for our sins and rose on the 3rd day?

So according to what Paul teaches us in the Body of Christ, we should also expect judgement to come to us in the future?

Christ's death on the cross has not taken that away?

Wow open my eyes to truth.....guess I need to change my mind here.....wait......nope...my righteousness is as filthy rags.
In fact Jesus imputed his righteousness toward me. Why because I have none.

On a personal note how dare you set a share among the brothers. You know very well that was not your first question.
How dare you have this intent of debate and set your mind on discord.
What is wrong with the church today this very act. You are a prime example .
No wonder new believers avoid this forum. They get caught up in this craftiness and leave not knowing what to believe.
Jesus said suffer the little children to come to him but it's this kind of mind set a foolishness that keep them away. You should be ashamed. You added on to your question turning it into another entirely subject after my reply.
Greater is he that is in me than he of the world. I wear his righteousness, I , we , none are righteous no not one.
By grace we are saved not by our works that you should be proud of.
Christ and him alone his mercy, his grace, his love, his kindness his forgiveness, his sacrifice, his righteousness,.

 

[pottersclay]

and do what exactly? what do you think this power is about?

power power power

maybe fire from heaven like in the OT? let's remember what Jesus said about that

we are not Israelites

And that's my point exactly. What is the church suppose to do??????? Wow are we that far from the father's heart?

 

[DorotheaSofia]

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

exactly, not we are strong, but God´s power will shine through even more through our weakness. 2. Corinthians 12, 9&10