Category: CHURCH

Is One that also Preaches:

HEAVEN AND HELL:
Heaven: Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Revelation 21:1-2 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Hell: James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death

If the Church you are attending is not Preaching/Teaching about these, then it’s time to look for a new Church.

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Is One that Preaches:

The True Gospel: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;…, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Lost and Saved :
Lost: Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
Saved: Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Good and Evil:
Good: Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Romans 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Evil: Romans 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
2 Corinthians 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; …
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

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I. An interesting story of Babe Ruth is often told “his team was losing and the Babe was up to bat with men on base. The manager told him to bunt, but ignoring the order, he lashed out at the next pitch and hit a home run. He came trotting into the dugout after rounding the bases and said ‘Wasn’t that great?” The manager replied “It was great alright, but not what I told you to do and I am fining you $50.00”.

II. I wonder how many of us are going to be fined* by God for not following orders? Now, there’s some great work going on, and some of the work is very effective and very successful, but I still wonder how many of them are following the orders from God.

III. Let’s compile a list of what the “CHURCH” is doing:
Marriage Funerals Communion Baptizing Confirmations
Bible Study Preaching Support Missions Dedication of Children
Praying Visitation (widows, orphans, sick, afflicted, unsaved)
Dinners Take care of needy Fund Raisers Education
Sunday School Mid-Week services

IV. Let’s look at our text and see what Peter has to say … 1 Peter 1
1-2 Introduction to the epistle
3-5 Peter reminds us of our great salvation all from God through
Christ’s death and resurrection
6-9 It’s not so easy, this life of a believer. Heaviness, Trial
of faith BUT Glory at His appearing
10-11 Salvation, hidden for centuries, but not made manifest
12 Now here’s what the Church is to be doing:
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

*fined by God – (1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.)
Not fined but a loss of rewards.

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And finally from Revelation
Revelation 1:4,11,20; 2:1,7,8,11,12,17,18,23,29; 3:1,6,7,13,14,22
Refers to the seven Jewish assemblies which are in Asia.
Revelation 22:16 I, Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Could refer to the 7 Churches or ALL Churches.

The CHURCH has been referred to as LOCAL, VISIBLE, TRUE CHURCH.

The TRUE Church – Many assemblies call themselves a Church. But as we study the Scripture, we find there can only be ONE TRUE CHURCH. It can only be made up of believer’s of Christ Jesus, in His death burial and reserrection.
All Believer’s, alive and those who have already joined Christ in Heaven.

The VISIBLE Church – This would be the ALIVE Believer’s still serving and awaiting to Join with Christ in Heaven.

The LOCAL Church – The believer’s that meet in a particular place.

AND WHEN DID THE CHURCH START?

Can it be concluded that the Church started with the 120 disciples in the upper room on the day of Pentecost (Even though they were unaware of it.)? Or did the Church begin as the Apostle Paul went to the Gentiles?

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What is the CHURCH? When did it begin? Where did the Church start?
It is never mentioned in the Old Testament.
Church or Churches is found 115x in the New Testament.
114x Greek word ‘ekklesia’ which means a calling out/a religious congregation/assembly/church.
1x Greek word ‘hierosulos’ and should have been translated temple. Acts 19:37
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
By definition and practice it’s an assembly of people to worship (a) God.
A CHRISTIAN Church is an assembly to worship Christ.
• Only mentioned 3x in the Gospels:
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
This is a prophecy of Christ founding the Church.
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
(Could/Should have been translated Temple)
Not mentioned in Mark, Luke or John
1st mention of CHURCH is in Acts 2:47, CHURCHES in Acts 9:31.
SO WHERE DID THE CHURCH BEGIN?
Reading Acts 2:47; 5:11,42 We see that the Church began in Jerusalem, consisting of Believing Jews, meeting in the Temple and different houses.
Saul (Acts 8:1-3) was able to carry on a persecution against the Church (Believing Jews) when they met in the Temple or houses. And because of him the Church grew and spread. And proof of growth is in Acts 9:31, where we read “Then had the CHURCHES rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria …”
Looking at all the references in Scripture will help us define the Church.
Acts 7:38 Should NOT have been translated CHURCH. This is just the ASSEMBLY of the Children of Israel lead by Moses out of Egypt.

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From Acts
11:22 “… the church which was in Jerusalem:…”
11:26 “…they assembled themselves with the church, … And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
12:1 “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth [his] hands to vex certain of the church.”
12:5 “Peter … kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
13:1 “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch…”

The above referred to Jewish assembles. Below refers to Gentile assembles (which include some Jews) founded by Paul.

14:23 “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting…”
14:27 “And when they were come, and had gathered the church together,…”
15:3-4 “And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria,… And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church,…”
15:22 “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men …”
15:41 “And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.”
16:5 “And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.”
18:22 “And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, ”
20:17-28 “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.”, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, … hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God,…”

And Romans give us an insight to what the church is:
16:1 “… the church which is at Cenchrea:”
16:4-5 “…all the churches of the Gentiles.”, “Likewise greet the church that is in their house … of Achaia …”
16:16 “… The churches of Christ salute you.”
16:23 “Gaius mine host, and of the whole church …”
16:27 “… and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.”

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