People sometimes get funny ideas about the formation of the Christian church. Especially in the United States, we tend to think that the Catholic church came first, and that Henry VIII started the Protestant church so that he could get a divorce. All churches, apart from the Catholics, are just versions of protestantism, such as the Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, etc. In reality, the fundamental Christian church was the first-ever church to follow Christ.
Catholicism got its start in the second century AD; whereas, the Christian fundamentalists "officially" got started about six weeks after Jesus ascended into heaven. Its origins are documented in the Book of Acts, which was written by Luke, who was one of the original 12 disciples, in approximately 80 AD. At the time, it included the disciples, Mary (Jesus' mother), his brothers and approximately 124 other believers.
According to the Book of Acts, it is possible to define the exact moment the Christian church was formed. On the first Feast of Pentecost after Christ ascended into heaven, the 12 apostles and around 124 other followers, including Jesus' mother and brothers, gathered in one place. Without warning, a strong wind came and filled the entire building. Above every head were tongues of fire. Everyone there was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking with other tongues, meaning in other languages.
This is referred to as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and it is replicated in everyone who is baptized as a follower of Christ. The act of baptism serves as public confirmation that an individual is born again after renouncing sin and the devil, declaring that they believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died for our sins.
Many people go through life believing that the Holy Ghost referred to the form of Jesus after the Resurrection and before the Ascension. In truth, the Holy Spirit is a helper that God sent to mankind to protect and guide his followers until Jesus comes back to claim them. This is one of the big differences between fundamentalist and other Christians.
In John 14:15-18, we learn that Jesus is going to ask his Father to send down a helper to be with us until His return. If you have ever felt hollow or almost moved to tears when attending a Sunday service, that is the Holy Spirit reminding you that Christ died for your sins so that you could be saved. This feeling disappears once you have been baptized in water.
When you are praising your Maker in church, singing, dancing and waving your arms about like a football fan or like you're at a rock concert, that buzz of electricity that fills the room is the Holy Spirit. When your pastor touches you on the shoulder when you're immersed in prayer and the power is so strong that you fall over, that, too, is the Holy Spirit.
Jesus did not leave us to our own devices when he took his place at the right hand of God. God sent the promised helper. Whenever two or more of us gather together in His name, the Holy Spirit is among us.
Catholicism got its start in the second century AD; whereas, the Christian fundamentalists "officially" got started about six weeks after Jesus ascended into heaven. Its origins are documented in the Book of Acts, which was written by Luke, who was one of the original 12 disciples, in approximately 80 AD. At the time, it included the disciples, Mary (Jesus' mother), his brothers and approximately 124 other believers.
According to the Book of Acts, it is possible to define the exact moment the Christian church was formed. On the first Feast of Pentecost after Christ ascended into heaven, the 12 apostles and around 124 other followers, including Jesus' mother and brothers, gathered in one place. Without warning, a strong wind came and filled the entire building. Above every head were tongues of fire. Everyone there was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking with other tongues, meaning in other languages.
This is referred to as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and it is replicated in everyone who is baptized as a follower of Christ. The act of baptism serves as public confirmation that an individual is born again after renouncing sin and the devil, declaring that they believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died for our sins.
Many people go through life believing that the Holy Ghost referred to the form of Jesus after the Resurrection and before the Ascension. In truth, the Holy Spirit is a helper that God sent to mankind to protect and guide his followers until Jesus comes back to claim them. This is one of the big differences between fundamentalist and other Christians.
In John 14:15-18, we learn that Jesus is going to ask his Father to send down a helper to be with us until His return. If you have ever felt hollow or almost moved to tears when attending a Sunday service, that is the Holy Spirit reminding you that Christ died for your sins so that you could be saved. This feeling disappears once you have been baptized in water.
When you are praising your Maker in church, singing, dancing and waving your arms about like a football fan or like you're at a rock concert, that buzz of electricity that fills the room is the Holy Spirit. When your pastor touches you on the shoulder when you're immersed in prayer and the power is so strong that you fall over, that, too, is the Holy Spirit.
Jesus did not leave us to our own devices when he took his place at the right hand of God. God sent the promised helper. Whenever two or more of us gather together in His name, the Holy Spirit is among us.
About the Author:
You can find a brief summary of the benefits you get when you attend a fundamental Christian church at http://richeyville.org right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment