The first churches after Christ vs. today’s church
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Yes the first example of an apostle delivering the word of God prophecy .(not the oral tradition of the fathers) ended in death the first martyr.(Abel) as a member of the bride of Christ the church. His blood cries out today to be clothed with the incorruptible seed (Christ) by which all men are born again .
Have you been born again or are still wondering about purgatory a unknow remnant time of suffering.? When will that wondering end? Just seconds short of eternal?
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Have you been born again or are still wondering about purgatory a unknow remnant time of suffering.? When will that wondering end? Just seconds short of eternal?
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
they held fast to the doctrine of Christ which teaches Gods love to those who believe his word of salvation .
see we can say love , but mans love is selfish we all see it differently . Jesus taught godly true love like the Good Samaritan goes out of his own way to help Another . He taught to forgive that’s love he taught to care for the needy that’s love , he taught to repent and believe the gospel he taught that’s the truth of Gods love and why we must believe To be saved .
I agree that Jesus taught to love but there’s a difference in how man loves and how Jesus taught believers to love as Gods children .
even the Ten Commandments are about love it’s not love to God to have a false God before him , it’s not love to commit
Murder , adultery, to lie , cheat and steal ect
we can say I love everyone or we can serve Gods love in this world
see we can say love , but mans love is selfish we all see it differently . Jesus taught godly true love like the Good Samaritan goes out of his own way to help Another . He taught to forgive that’s love he taught to care for the needy that’s love , he taught to repent and believe the gospel he taught that’s the truth of Gods love and why we must believe To be saved .
I agree that Jesus taught to love but there’s a difference in how man loves and how Jesus taught believers to love as Gods children .
even the Ten Commandments are about love it’s not love to God to have a false God before him , it’s not love to commit
Murder , adultery, to lie , cheat and steal ect
we can say I love everyone or we can serve Gods love in this world
What does Peter say. ready your minds with this purpose
what purpose?
The same purpose that was in Christ Jesus mind.
To suffer.
Why ?
Because those who have suffered in the flesh and ceased from sin so they can begin to live the rest of their lives for the glory of God.
IMHO
That is where and when the power of God shows up.
Are we walking in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus?
Will God consider you worthy to suffer?
Seriously who is even thinking that way anymore?
Being considered worthy to suffer of the name of Jesus....
Everybody wants Gods comforting, but who wants to be worthy to suffer for Him so we can be comforted, encouraged and rescued.
I think most suffering Christians go through is because of their sin not because they love God.
Because they fail to love God.
We get to choose how we will suffer, in righteous and holiness against sin or in sin
what purpose?
The same purpose that was in Christ Jesus mind.
To suffer.
Why ?
Because those who have suffered in the flesh and ceased from sin so they can begin to live the rest of their lives for the glory of God.
IMHO
That is where and when the power of God shows up.
Are we walking in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus?
Will God consider you worthy to suffer?
Seriously who is even thinking that way anymore?
Being considered worthy to suffer of the name of Jesus....
Everybody wants Gods comforting, but who wants to be worthy to suffer for Him so we can be comforted, encouraged and rescued.
I think most suffering Christians go through is because of their sin not because they love God.
Because they fail to love God.
We get to choose how we will suffer, in righteous and holiness against sin or in sin
In my study of the first churches and how they differ from us, you have summed up the difference. They allowed differences in dogma, but they held fast to the essence of Christ and that was love for God and each other as God defined it.
What seems strange is how so many added to scripture and created cults. The Gnostics were a constant pain, Colossians speaks of them as false. The people who followed Arian prompted the Council of Nicea.
Scholars agree that this council changed the church, but not on why the church changed. It seems to be the major change was that problems in the church were worked out by government and councils who felt they had authority from God to dictate doctrine. Before, they looked to men who were closest to Christ like the apostles who knew him and then the ones taught by them. They were against adding anything to scripture.
In my search for truth of the Lord I find that our church today has accepted doctrine that originated in councils, not in scripture. They only Christianized pagan beliefs. As an example, they made their spring festivals Colossians speaks against and fertility cults into Easter that took the place of Passover. Now, churches have Easter Egg Hunts and serve ham that was a symbol, before the new covenant, of feeding the mind garbage as pigs ate garbage.
What seems strange is how so many added to scripture and created cults. The Gnostics were a constant pain, Colossians speaks of them as false. The people who followed Arian prompted the Council of Nicea.
Scholars agree that this council changed the church, but not on why the church changed. It seems to be the major change was that problems in the church were worked out by government and councils who felt they had authority from God to dictate doctrine. Before, they looked to men who were closest to Christ like the apostles who knew him and then the ones taught by them. They were against adding anything to scripture.
In my search for truth of the Lord I find that our church today has accepted doctrine that originated in councils, not in scripture. They only Christianized pagan beliefs. As an example, they made their spring festivals Colossians speaks against and fertility cults into Easter that took the place of Passover. Now, churches have Easter Egg Hunts and serve ham that was a symbol, before the new covenant, of feeding the mind garbage as pigs ate garbage.
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Their is no reason to wait till its dark out to walk in the light.
If we refuse to sin against him when the suffering is only a self denial of the flesh we will be ready to pay a bigger price when the time comes.
He who is faithful in little is faithful in much.
Very important to test yourself and be sure you are in the faith.
Purify yourself just as he is pure and take up the embrace of suffering now.
Suffer against sin in your flesh and put to death every sin in your way keeping you from drawing near to God.
The love of God is to hate evil.
The love of God is to keep his commandments.
Not in the letter of the law but in the Spirit that is love.
The Pharisees kept the letter of the law, but your righteousness needs to be greater they theirs, to keep the love of God and one another by doing everything in faith in that love.
Whatever you do without that faith is sin.
Be perfected in love.
If we refuse to sin against him when the suffering is only a self denial of the flesh we will be ready to pay a bigger price when the time comes.
He who is faithful in little is faithful in much.
Very important to test yourself and be sure you are in the faith.
Purify yourself just as he is pure and take up the embrace of suffering now.
Suffer against sin in your flesh and put to death every sin in your way keeping you from drawing near to God.
The love of God is to hate evil.
The love of God is to keep his commandments.
Not in the letter of the law but in the Spirit that is love.
The Pharisees kept the letter of the law, but your righteousness needs to be greater they theirs, to keep the love of God and one another by doing everything in faith in that love.
Whatever you do without that faith is sin.
Be perfected in love.
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We know the law is only fit for evil men.
A tutor for those who did not have the reality of the Spirit of truth and life.
The covenant of law was set aside having been satisfied in Christ fulfilled by Him.
But when you talk about obedience many only see the OT law as something to obey and fear you are saying return to what was death and a curse as the source of your righteousness and die in it as one separated from Christ.
But A new covenant was established a new priesthood. A greater and preexisting one according to the order of the indestructible life of God in us who are His in Christ Jesus through our giving ourselves to Jesus Lordship over our lives by faith in the love of God poured out for us.
Some think being right is about keeping laws, but that makes no one right.
The old testament law is too little for us, unlawful to apply to us.
it is Christ in you that is the hope of our glory.
You living out his life and walking according to His word and His Spirit as we are commanded.
In doing so we become law to the lawless and light to those in darkness.
My sheep hear my voice and follow me.
A tutor for those who did not have the reality of the Spirit of truth and life.
The covenant of law was set aside having been satisfied in Christ fulfilled by Him.
But when you talk about obedience many only see the OT law as something to obey and fear you are saying return to what was death and a curse as the source of your righteousness and die in it as one separated from Christ.
But A new covenant was established a new priesthood. A greater and preexisting one according to the order of the indestructible life of God in us who are His in Christ Jesus through our giving ourselves to Jesus Lordship over our lives by faith in the love of God poured out for us.
Some think being right is about keeping laws, but that makes no one right.
The old testament law is too little for us, unlawful to apply to us.
it is Christ in you that is the hope of our glory.
You living out his life and walking according to His word and His Spirit as we are commanded.
In doing so we become law to the lawless and light to those in darkness.
My sheep hear my voice and follow me.
yes I think understanding it all comes when we realize it was all foretold by the beloved apostles of our lord and savior Jesus Christ doctrine needs to remain true to Christ’s word , Satan knows it so his plan is like it was with adam only now it’s on a scale of
Many and the church no one teaches and speaks about Gods kingdom , but it’s the gospel
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
2 Timothy 4:1-4
faith in Jesus Christ understands this is true
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24
so the enemy needs to get mankind away from that truth , just like with eve it’s a false doctrine . If someone believes God is , and then you explain what he said to them they’ll believe it and follow that in their minds and hearts . He’s crafty our enemy but also has only one plot , if we believe the lords word we will live , if we let the enemy steal
It and give us his word instead , we will die that is mankind’s plight
Many and the church no one teaches and speaks about Gods kingdom , but it’s the gospel
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
2 Timothy 4:1-4
faith in Jesus Christ understands this is true
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24
so the enemy needs to get mankind away from that truth , just like with eve it’s a false doctrine . If someone believes God is , and then you explain what he said to them they’ll believe it and follow that in their minds and hearts . He’s crafty our enemy but also has only one plot , if we believe the lords word we will live , if we let the enemy steal
It and give us his word instead , we will die that is mankind’s plight
Psalm 19:7-11
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
All of these things preceded the written law, the letter that kills. the law of sin and death.
It is the law keepers that have failed.
For to fail at one part is to fail at all.
Cause a woman to loose their unborn child "Death"
Strike your father "death"
Make a fire on the sabbath "death"
If righteousness could
come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!
But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead.
Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?
So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another.
Belong to another? Another what? Another law? Or to Christ and the law of his Spirit in us.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh.
Not that the old law that was against us was put aside but rather satisfied in Christs life and death so the new can come.
It is still a useful tutor, and still good for increasing sin and exposing the need for Christ.
The law is not subject to the Spirit of Christ just as the sabbath is subject to the lord of the sabbath.
It is lawful to work and do good on the sabbath?
We are dead to the laws judgments against us. Can we still learn about God and Christ and ourselves from it, yes, it was and still is good.
But it is totally unlawful to apply it to those who have died and now live by the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus.
We ourselves are now a law unto ourselves, like the law to the world, living as ones who shine the light in the darkness and exposing sin and the need for Christ. If we are what we say and live according to the Spirit that is the effect of our lives.
Beloved let us love one another, for Love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
If you love me you will keep my commandments and my father will love you and will come and make His home with you.
Everyone who sin has not seen or known God.
John warns us to be be deceived regarding righteousness. That the ones who are righteous by faith are actually righteous. It is not just some attributed righteousness but a deposited one that you are expected to live from if you have it as the power of God to do so.
It is the law keepers that have failed.
For to fail at one part is to fail at all.
Cause a woman to loose their unborn child "Death"
Strike your father "death"
Make a fire on the sabbath "death"
If righteousness could
come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!
But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead.
Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?
So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another.
Belong to another? Another what? Another law? Or to Christ and the law of his Spirit in us.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh.
Not that the old law that was against us was put aside but rather satisfied in Christs life and death so the new can come.
It is still a useful tutor, and still good for increasing sin and exposing the need for Christ.
The law is not subject to the Spirit of Christ just as the sabbath is subject to the lord of the sabbath.
It is lawful to work and do good on the sabbath?
We are dead to the laws judgments against us. Can we still learn about God and Christ and ourselves from it, yes, it was and still is good.
But it is totally unlawful to apply it to those who have died and now live by the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus.
We ourselves are now a law unto ourselves, like the law to the world, living as ones who shine the light in the darkness and exposing sin and the need for Christ. If we are what we say and live according to the Spirit that is the effect of our lives.
Beloved let us love one another, for Love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
If you love me you will keep my commandments and my father will love you and will come and make His home with you.
Everyone who sin has not seen or known God.
John warns us to be be deceived regarding righteousness. That the ones who are righteous by faith are actually righteous. It is not just some attributed righteousness but a deposited one that you are expected to live from if you have it as the power of God to do so.
Cool. Being more like God in Christ adds power to all aspects of our lives I would say.
The bible says it is the prayers of the righteous that accomplish much.
If your prayers don't seem to do anything you might want to check if you are walking according to the Spirit of Christ.
Because there is a direct connection between power and taking up your cross in faith and following Christs example and Spirit wherever he leads you.
It can is a fight to not let the weed, the cares of this life not choke the life and fruitfulness our of your faith in Jesus.
The bible says it is the prayers of the righteous that accomplish much.
If your prayers don't seem to do anything you might want to check if you are walking according to the Spirit of Christ.
Because there is a direct connection between power and taking up your cross in faith and following Christs example and Spirit wherever he leads you.
It can is a fight to not let the weed, the cares of this life not choke the life and fruitfulness our of your faith in Jesus.
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Do you think the Psalms are scripture from God that is eternal, or do you think there is a time limitation to them?
I truly love the law, it is like a wonderful heavenly Father taking my hand and leading me to Christ. Christ within makes me want to obey every single part of it. But I don't think God wants us to use the law for salvation. Nor, like first Corinthians tells us, do I think God wants us to obey law outside of love.
Christ showed us how to obey law rules without love, and showed that was wrong. He picked grain on the Sabbath when they were hungry, he showed a man being healed on the Sabbath, and other things out of love and not rules.
I truly love the law, it is like a wonderful heavenly Father taking my hand and leading me to Christ. Christ within makes me want to obey every single part of it. But I don't think God wants us to use the law for salvation. Nor, like first Corinthians tells us, do I think God wants us to obey law outside of love.
Christ showed us how to obey law rules without love, and showed that was wrong. He picked grain on the Sabbath when they were hungry, he showed a man being healed on the Sabbath, and other things out of love and not rules.
No, but they were much closer to each other than we are now. . Unlike today where the church establishment is more interested in expansion, the early church was more interested in making individual disciples. The irony is that their numbers grew while our numbers today are dwindling.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
I think the underlying theme of most of the responses here is that the Holy Spirit will carry us through.
In Pastor Phillip DeCoursey's wonderful study of the Holy Spirit, You Have the Advantage, he gives us a very compelling reason for studying the Holy Spirit. He says:
It is truly a privilege to live on this side of Pentecost.
I tend to believe him.
In Pastor Phillip DeCoursey's wonderful study of the Holy Spirit, You Have the Advantage, he gives us a very compelling reason for studying the Holy Spirit. He says:
It is truly a privilege to live on this side of Pentecost.
I tend to believe him.
Thats true. Jesus shares His life with us. Forgiving enemies is what we can do that makes us more like Him.
To those we forgive that is. Then He unites our suffering to His and the redemptive power of the cross converts the hearts that persecuted and others who witnesses.
An example is St Stephen's prayer for his enemies. I believe Saul received Christ's redemption through Stephen's suffering and prayer because Christ united Stephen's suffering to His own and the redeeming power of the cross works through Stephen to save his enemies. Saul was saved here and became Paul.
That was a bit long winded. It's because I liked what you wrote.☺
Grace and Peace.
To those we forgive that is. Then He unites our suffering to His and the redemptive power of the cross converts the hearts that persecuted and others who witnesses.
An example is St Stephen's prayer for his enemies. I believe Saul received Christ's redemption through Stephen's suffering and prayer because Christ united Stephen's suffering to His own and the redeeming power of the cross works through Stephen to save his enemies. Saul was saved here and became Paul.
That was a bit long winded. It's because I liked what you wrote.☺
Grace and Peace.
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I think the underlying theme of most of the responses here is that the Holy Spirit will carry us through.
In Pastor Phillip DeCoursey's wonderful study of the Holy Spirit, You Have the Advantage, he gives us a very compelling reason for studying the Holy Spirit. He says:
It is truly a privilege to live on this side of Pentecost.
I tend to believe him.
In Pastor Phillip DeCoursey's wonderful study of the Holy Spirit, You Have the Advantage, he gives us a very compelling reason for studying the Holy Spirit. He says:
It is truly a privilege to live on this side of Pentecost.
I tend to believe him.
The Holy spirit is one with the Lord and His word. The wonderful Holy Spirit does not replace study, it gives us understanding of the study.
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Stephen like all believers (Christians) received the gift of God through the hearing of Christ's faith that worked in Stephen(the gospel) . Stephen's new born again faith was not passed down to Paul and then to Mary e.t.c.
Did Stephen receive his sufferings through Abel in whom God had the fulness of grace or favor on?. Abel is the first recorded apostle sent by our Holy Father and also the first recorded martyr of the body of Christ. His bride the church.
Cain his faithless brother plowed him under the corn seeing no value in the spiritual unseen matters of faith .
The Pagan foundation .Out of sight out of mind. Same kind of foundation Saul sought after when he murdered Christian men and woman (Acts 22) before his born again conversion.
Have you been born again from above?? Jesus says it a must and. . . to marvel or wonder not.
Did Stephen receive his sufferings through Abel in whom God had the fulness of grace or favor on?. Abel is the first recorded apostle sent by our Holy Father and also the first recorded martyr of the body of Christ. His bride the church.
Cain his faithless brother plowed him under the corn seeing no value in the spiritual unseen matters of faith .
The Pagan foundation .Out of sight out of mind. Same kind of foundation Saul sought after when he murdered Christian men and woman (Acts 22) before his born again conversion.
Have you been born again from above?? Jesus says it a must and. . . to marvel or wonder not.
L
well not all churches are the same. not at all
I would not use the widest brush I could find to paint with in this case
on the other hand, plenty was written to correct error and we see that in our New Testaments
I don't think people have changed all that much since those letters were written...for example, Paul had to correct their 'love feasts' because people were getting drunk and late comers were left with nothing to eat
although it does seem the church has fallen from taking care of those who need shelter, clothing and food in many cases
I would not use the widest brush I could find to paint with in this case
on the other hand, plenty was written to correct error and we see that in our New Testaments
I don't think people have changed all that much since those letters were written...for example, Paul had to correct their 'love feasts' because people were getting drunk and late comers were left with nothing to eat
although it does seem the church has fallen from taking care of those who need shelter, clothing and food in many cases