The first churches after Christ vs. today’s church

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
P

pottersclay

Guest
#61
You are saying after Jesus impute his righteousness to you, you are still not confident that you are righteous?
It is Christ that is righteous not me. I wear his righteousness. That's what I am saying.
The robe of righteousness given to us by Christ.
All things become new.....God's not rebuilding us but transforming us.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#62
The Lord sees our righteousness as filthy rags. In short we have none.
Jesus imputed his righteousness to us. He did not restore or clean up our righteousness he gave us his.
This is why I said through Jesus Christ we are made righteous, only the pure and holy can enter his kingdom right? God knew we couldn't live to the standerds and is why he sent his only son to shed his blood for us so that through him we are made clean righteous and holy if we deny that then the enemy has fooled us. Don't make the same mistake I did I am only now starting to be able to see myself different after 8 whole years of salvation and seeing myself like this putting myself down like this especially considering I already struggle with depression and have always had a low view of myself it is exhuasting
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#63
This is why I said through Jesus Christ we are made righteous, only the pure and holy can enter his kingdom right? God knew we couldn't live to the standerds and is why he sent his only son to shed his blood for us so that through him we are made clean righteous and holy if we deny that then the enemy has fooled us. Don't make the same mistake I did I am only now starting to be able to see myself different after 8 whole years of salvation and seeing myself like this putting myself down like this especially considering I already struggle with depression and have always had a low view of myself it is exhuasting
Exactly brother exactly....praise God . God had to dress us up before he takes us out.
Listen blain you are beautifully and wonderfully made the perfect tool in the potters belt for the purpose he has chosen for you. It's his faithfulness that will get you across that finish lie.
Just be faithful to him and in him.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#64
Exactly brother exactly....praise God . God had to dress us up before he takes us out.
Listen blain you are beautifully and wonderfully made the perfect tool in the potters belt for the purpose he has chosen for you. It's his faithfulness that will get you across that finish lie.
Just be faithful to him and in him.
Yep this is something I am slowly learning depression and dealing with my low view of myself are hard battles for me but I am like shark I can only swim forwards
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#65
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
When I speak of scripture, it is said to cause friction because some do not agree with what I see in scripture. In order to not cause friction I would have to turn a blind eye to scripture and never speak of it, only of approved doctrines of the current church. I feel between a rock and a hard place. Surely in a Christian world we could discuss scripture freely. I would so like to be told "I think you are wrong because". They are free to do that, surely I could be left free when I sincerely listen to the Lord and keep myself out of my thinking all I can. Can't we speak of whether God cancelled the Sabbath, if God wants us to obey, or does God want us to celebrate feasts or are they only Jewish customs, whether God spoke to Israel only, with scripture not fighting.

I am not allowed to speak. That is how the Pharisees treated Jesus only Jesus was God and I only quote scripture.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#66
And that's my point exactly. What is the church suppose to do??????? Wow are we that far from the father's heart?
If we study the first churches after Christ that men who were taught by the apostles who knew Christ like Clement and Polycarp, then when we accept Christ for forgiveness we would then concentrate on living the life of the Christian message. Agreeing on doctrine would take a back seat, differences would be allowed. After accepting Christ and all Christ stands for, expressing love for God and each other would be the rule.
 
L

lenna

Guest
#67
If we study the first churches after Christ that men who were taught by the apostles who knew Christ like Clement and Polycarp, then when we accept Christ for forgiveness we would then concentrate on living the life of the Christian message. Agreeing on doctrine would take a back seat, differences would be allowed. After accepting Christ and all Christ stands for, expressing love for God and each other would be the rule.
that is not what you do though

your doctrine of Sabbath keeping is first and foremost in every thread you appear in and create

you are divisive and claim if you worship on Sunday, you are participating in a church that attracts demons because it is Sunday

get yourself straightened out and stop putting the blame on others
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#68
It is Christ that is righteous not me. I wear his righteousness. That's what I am saying.
The robe of righteousness given to us by Christ.
All things become new.....God's not rebuilding us but transforming us.
So finally, do you think you, as wearing his righteousness, should think of yourself as "scarcely be saved" 1 Peter 4:18, or as the NIV version goes, hard for you to be saved?
 

14meatcc

Active member
Feb 17, 2020
154
86
28
San Diego
#69
The churches of today, are teaching doctrine with half-truths and lies. The spirit of Truth cannot be present in a room full of lies and half-truths. To know the truth is key to worshiping God. Christ States this that those that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The churches have been preaching false doctrine for so long that's telling the truth is like putting old wine into new wine skins it is like sewing new cloth onto an old garment all these are true. Until we start preaching the truth we can expect the absence of the holy Spirit and no power in the churches.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#70
The first churches had problems as well .
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,137
5,720
113
#71
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?
believe the same things they believed the things Jesus taught and follow after those things they recorded and left for us to believe , instructed us to never part from .

denominations have weakened the church dramatically we argue much more over jots and tittles than ever coming together . I mean there have been bloody wars fought over denominational loyalty and division

if the doctrine remains the four gospels God will move , false doctrines crept in and did a lot of damage still everyday new ideas about why Jesus doesn’t apply are spun a new book written about revolutionary beliefs that cracked some hidden code and they have the real answer

hundreds of ideas and still only one true way of salvation exactly like the lord Jesus said

we’ve gotten away from the truth to the point the church can agree on very little a house divided and all
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#72
So finally, do you think you, as wearing his righteousness, should think of yourself as "scarcely be saved" 1 Peter 4:18, or as the NIV version goes, hard for you to be saved?
Salvation belongs to the Lord. He is salvation. Why he would ever consider me is a big mystery for as great a gift as that.
My salvation is 100 percent secure because it is in him. Through him, by him.
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#73
Salvation belongs to the Lord. He is salvation. Why he would ever consider me is a big mystery for as great a gift as that.
My salvation is 100 percent secure because it is in him. Through him, by him.
Yes, so you do agree that 1 Peter 4:18 cannot be written TO us?
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#74
believe the same things they believed the things Jesus taught and follow after those things they recorded and left for us to believe , instructed us to never part from .

denominations have weakened the church dramatically we argue much more over jots and tittles than ever coming together . I mean there have been bloody wars fought over denominational loyalty and division

if the doctrine remains the four gospels God will move , false doctrines crept in and did a lot of damage still everyday new ideas about why Jesus doesn’t apply are spun a new book written about revolutionary beliefs that cracked some hidden code and they have the real answer

hundreds of ideas and still only one true way of salvation exactly like the lord Jesus said

we’ve gotten away from the truth to the point the church can agree on very little a house divided and all
From my study of the first churches, what your post tells us is what they say is the main difference in our churches. They held fast to the central theme of Christ and that theme is love. The fine points of doctrine didn't matter to them. They were more interested in living the way of Christ.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#75
Yes, so you do agree that 1 Peter 4:18 cannot be written TO us?

Christ in Our Place For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

I think peter was referring to what Paul was saying here.
About the rareity of a person to freely give up his life for another's cause and yet it would be unheard of for one to freely give up his life for the undeserving.
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#76
Christ in Our Place For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

I think peter was referring to what Paul was saying here.
About the rareity of a person to freely give up his life for another's cause and yet it would be unheard of for one to freely give up his life for the undeserving.
I see, thanks for sharing your interpretation.
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
#77
I know this isn't about the misunderstanding of charismata, but I thought it very interesting.
And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Acts 19:8‭-‬10 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/act.19.8-10.NASB
The school of Tyrranus,
 

jb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2010
4,940
591
113
#78
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?
Simple, implement the government and practices (and hence ministries) of the early Church as revealed in the Scriptures.

When Moses was upon mount Sinai, the Lord told him to make everything according to the pattern shown him, he did so and had a structure filled with the Presence and Power of the Living God, if the Church was obedient and followed the Scriptures on this, we would get the same results as the early Church! Heb 8v5, 13v8, Mal 3v6, Psalm 119v105.
 
Aug 14, 2019
1,374
307
83
#79
About the rareity of a person to freely give up his life for another's cause and yet it would be unheard of for one to freely give up his life for the undeserving.
Even more so if that man wouldn't have suffered death at all if He didn't let those who are kill Him.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#80
Even more so if that man wouldn't have suffered death at all if He didn't let those who are kill Him.[/QUOTE

And this my friend is the foolishness of the gospel......amen