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Axe To The Roots Back to Spiritual Writings
The Church
What is "church?" Where is "church?" How is "church" to be? When I was
teaching at a local "church" from scriptures, I couldn't help but wonder about
Christ stating His church will become "one." To me that would mean no
separation or division. Would God gather all the denominations together into
one organization, or would He establish a governing body to rule over all the
differing denominations? Neither idea could be farther from the truth. My error
was in looking at the church as a building or denomination that worshipped
together on Sunday. In fact, when I began having these ideas burst into my
head, I decided to research where the concept of church buildings, offering
plates and pulpits came from. The more I looked at the early church in the book
of Acts, the more I became convinced that these things were instituted by man
to establish control. The early "church" simply did not look like what many call
"church" today. Many current christian "church" teachings did not exist then,
either. Most of the established doctrines and traditions, such as buildings and
pulpits came into existence around the time of 300AD. Today, if one believes
the scores of church buildings on every street corner to be God's ordained
church, then that same person will be misled into believing and following
doctrines not taught by Jesus. It took me years to finally realize the power of this
illusion. Christ said His church is not divided but will be "one." Is what you
believe the church to be today "one" and undivided? I believe the current
"church system" to be the major cause of division amongst people and
therefore rendered powerless.
So, what is the church and where is it? I can't help but feel like we have been
trapped into believing that what we call "the church" is not what Jesus had in
mind. Have you ever been afraid to ask these questions? I have. Still, I cannot
help but ask, "If our understanding of church is true, then where today is the
power Jesus and His followers demonstrated almost two thousand years ago?"
I personally have seen some miracles. But, what caused those miracles to
happen?
Question Thirty Three: Did Jesus go to church every sabbath or did He go
wherever he was led by the spirit? (Luke 4:1; Rom. 8:14)
Question Thirty Four: When did the concepts of church buildings, pulpits and
collection plates come into practice? Were these practices man-made or
God-ordained?
Question Thirty Five: If the exact same message Jesus taught is being
preached today, then why didn't He command all the people to come into
buildings for a service every Sunday and worship Him? Why did crowds flock
around Jesus to hear His words wherever He went, but today people are not
flocking into church buildings to hear a message? (John 13:34-35)
Question Thirty Six: If Christ's church is represented by the numerous
assemblies of different denominations (e.g. Baptists, Presbyterians,
Methodists, Catholics, etc.), why are they so divided? Didn't Jesus pray that we
may all be one and will His prayer be answered? Can all these denominations
hold onto varying beliefs, separating themselves from each other and yet be
"one" in Christ? (John 17:11, 21-22)
Question Thirty Seven: Are denominations and divisions of God? How can
all be "one?"
Question Thirty Eight: Today, if what we call "the church" is successful and
possessing the correct structure and message "to save the world," why are
there divisions amongst so many christians while the world is still in chaos?
Why are so many churches today losing membership, splitting or folding if they
are of God?
Question Thirty Nine: What is the church to you: a building or people? Which
do you think is more important to God?
NEXT
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Psychic
Reading
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Psychic Predictions
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