HOW DID WE MOVE AWAY FROM GODS CHURCH TO MANS CHURCH?
Dear Reader pray and earnestly consider what is written here so that you may be found knowing for yourself.
Overview of the First Century Church and Gods
opening the way for all Believers to come boldly
to the throne of God without the need of mans
churches and priesthoods.
God's Church is formed: Jesus Christ, Apostles and Born Again Believers spread the Gospel Of Grace and Salvation. Believers receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit: In Acts 2:38-39 Peter said: Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.
Gods Church is Jesus Christ and Born Again Believers having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Our True Teacher, Our True Guide, Our True Comforter, along with God's Written Word and the testimony of Creation. They are the living breathing Church Of God. They are adopted Sons and Daughters of God.
+ 1 Peter 2:5 “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
+ 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
+ 1 Corinthians 3:9 “For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.”
+ Revelation 5:10 “and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
+ Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
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After Christ ascended into heaven and the Apostles were called home to be with our Lord. the Apostolic church organization as practiced by first century Believer "as foretold", came to an end. First Century Believers were eventually driven underground.
Men (some sincerer and some with their own agendas) established churches patterned after mans systems and organizations, not God’s. (This is historically documented.)
Did God knowing what would occur then and in the future until Christ return, provide for His Church?
Yes He Did.
John 14:16
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
John 15:26
“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,
John 16:7
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
John 16:8
And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;
John 16:13
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
Did first century Believers anticipate that Christ would soon return?
Did they understand Christ teachings that after the time of the Apostles, what was then the church would change when Christ died on the cross?
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AND JESUS CHRIST SAID HE WOULD MANIFEST (APPEAR-SHOW) HIMSELF TO BELIEVERS. YES, HE DID.
John 14:14-21 KJV
"If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the
Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him, neither does it know him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfort less: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will not see me; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
Dear Reader have you experienced the oneness and love of Christ which surpass all understanding? If not, pray that you know for yourself.
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BEFORE HIS CRUCIFIXION JESUS CHRIST SPOKE PLAINLY OF THE CHANGE THAT WOULD SOON TAKE PLACE WHILE SPEAKING TO A SAMARITAN WOMEN BY THE WELL.
John 4:13-26
".....Now Jesus had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”.....
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again.
But whosoever drink of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Note: If we are truly Born Again in Jesus Christ, why then do we continue to follow man's false teachings and traditions? In Christ, we have a well of living water springing up into everlasting life. Mans teachings and traditions cannot quench our thirst for God's living water.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. (She did not want to keep coming back to the well to draw more water.) Mans compromised churches do not have Gods living waters so why then do we keep returning to them?
Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that said thou truly.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, (Christ death and the tearing of the Temple Vail) when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. Note: The Old Testament Covenant of the Law was given exclusively to Israel but the Law itself could not save. The New Testament Covenant brought salvation by faith through Messiah, Gods Son, Jesus Christ, a Jew, Our High Priest who Himself died for the sins of mankind.
But the hour cometh, AND NOW IS when true worshiper shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He.
NOW DEAR READER CONSIDER CAREFULLY:
What was God's message when Christ died on the cross?
IT IS FINISHED.
WHEN CHRIST DIED:
God split the Temple Vail from top to bottom. Signifying that Believers are now called to boldly approach God without the need of priest, pastors, or mans churches.
Go to "The Vail" and know for yourself.
https://knowingforyourself.com/message-of-the-vail
History testifies that after the First Century, men began established churches that were not patterned after God’s Pattern For His Church. Each claimed authority from God while excluding the beliefs and authority of others who also established their own priesthoods, interpretations, core doctrines, and traditions. Which tragically resulted in denominational-ism with believers contending one against another. Yes and doing so violently, unto death, damming one another to hell. All of which Jesus Christ, The Apostles, and Born Again Believers, taught against.
Dear Reader these are important matters not to be taken lightly. Earnestly consider what you have read and ask yourself.
> What is being revealed and taught?
> What would be the ramifications for Believers living in an age of deception, false
teachers, and compromised Churches?
If you are not fully persuaded about these matters please do some research so that you may be found knowing for yourself.
Restore and Renew, not buildings, not man
ministries, not programs, but Gods Church.
BELIEVERS ARE BEING RIDICULED, VILIFIED, ATTACKED AND KILLED
THIS IS HOW THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD
AND HIS FOLLOWERS SEE CHRISTIANS
AND IT'S NOW HAPPENING IN AMERICA
HOW GOD AND HEAVENLY BEINGS
SEE BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS
Build – Restore – Renew
THE BATTLE FOR THE HEARTS, MINDS, AND SOULS OF MAN
THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR STANDARD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR TEACHER
THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR STANDARD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR TEACHER
Our struggle is not only against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of darkness in this world, and against the unseen spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.
THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR STANDARD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR TEACHER
THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR STANDARD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR TEACHER
THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR STANDARD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR TEACHER
The end of days prophesies foretold in the Bible are now coming to pass. Believers are not deceived. The world is in spiritual darkness as it was in the days of Noah
WHAT THEN SHALL WE DO WITH JESUS CHRIST
THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR STANDARD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR TEACHER
WHAT THEN SHALL WE DO WITH JESUS CHRIST
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
PEACE IN TROUBLES TIMES
WE ARE ADOPTED SONS AND DAUGHTERS
WHAT THEN SHALL WE DO WITH JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Prince Of Peace
Here are a few verses from Scriptures about God's power to deliver us from troubled minds and freedom from fear. We begin with Christ words from the Gospel of John.
John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Deuteronomy 31:8
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
Exodus 14:13
"And Moses said to the people, 'Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today'."
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Isaiah 41:13
"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."
Psalm 23:4
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
1 Peter 5:7
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
2 Timothy 1:7
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
Psalm 34:4
"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."
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VERSES ABOUT GOD'S POWER TO DELIVER FROM PLAGUES
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 begins by talking about plagues, and ends with God's power to heal and restore our land.
"If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
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Psalm 91 is a often quoted passage about God's protection for those who seek refuge in the Most High God.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Surely he will save you from the Fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but they will not come near you.
WE ARE ADOPTED SONS AND DAUGHTERS
WE ARE ADOPTED SONS AND DAUGHTERS
WE ARE ADOPTED SONS AND DAUGHTERS
Who are Israelite's, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,
Where scriptures use the word Church it is understood that the Church is Jesus Christ and Born Again Believers. Not a building, Church denomination or any spiritual organization.
Believer/Church are one in the same, the living breathing Church Of God.
They are the adopted Sons and Daughters of God.
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The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ and the Father are One (John 1:1-4), and that He is also the only begotten Son of God (Hebrews 1:1-4).
This familiar term indicates God regards Jesus as a family member. And, Born-again Believers are told that we, too, are members of this family (Romans 9:8; 1 John 3:1-2).
How do we become a part of this family of God? When we hear the gospel, confess our sins, and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we are at that moment born into God’s kingdom as His children and become heirs with Him for eternity (Romans 8:14-17).
While Jesus Christ is referred to as the only begotten Son of God, believers are referred to as children born into God’s family who need to grow and mature in our faith (Ephesians 4:11-16), and as sons and heirs adopted into His family (Galatians 4:4-7).
God’s infinite grace and mercy are revealed in Ephesians 1:5-6, which says He redeems sinners, whom He has “adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
As children of God, what do we inherit? Nothing less than the kingdom of God (Matthew 25:34; 1 Thessalonians 2:12;
Hebrews 12:28)! Ephesians 1:3 tells us that believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. These spiritual blessings are infinite, eternal, and reside in Christ, and by God’s grace we are given these blessings as His children. As earthly children we eventually inherit what our parents leave behind for us after their death.
But in God’s case believers are already reaping the rewards of our inheritance by having peace with Him through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. Other rewards of our inheritance include the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the moment we believe in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14),
which empowers us to live for Him in the present, and the knowledge that our salvation is secure for eternity (Hebrews 7:24-25).
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Being a part of the family of God is the greatest blessing bestowed upon believers and one that should drive us to our knees in humble adoration. We can never do anything to deserve it for it is His gift of love, mercy, and grace to us, yet, we are called to become sons and daughters of the Living God (Romans 9:25-26). May we all respond in faith to His invitation.
GotQuestions.org
Ephesians 1:5
He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
Romans 8:15
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Romans 8:16
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,
Galatians 4:6
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
1 John 3:1
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Galatians 4:7
Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
Romans 8:23
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Galatians 3:26
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:14
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
1 Corinthians 2:12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
Galatians 4:5
so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
2 Corinthians 1:22
who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
1 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:24
then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom (Born Again Believers) to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.
Romans 9:4
who are Israelite's, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,
John 8:35
"The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.
Galatians 3:29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.
John 1:12
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.
GODS PROMISES
WE ARE ADOPTED SONS AND DAUGHTERS
WE ARE ADOPTED SONS AND DAUGHTERS
What does the Holy Spirit do?
The Bible is quite clear that the Holy Spirit is active in our world. The Holy Spirit does many things in the lives of believers. He is the believers’ Helper (John 14:26). He indwells believers and seals them until the day of redemption—this indicates that the Holy Spirit’s presence in the believer is irreversible. He guards and guarantees the salvation of the ones He indwells (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The Holy Spirit assists believers in prayer (Jude 1:20) and “intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26–27).
The Holy Spirit regenerates and renews the believer (Titus 3:5). At the moment of salvation, the Spirit baptizes the believer into the Body of Christ (Romans 6:3). Believers receive the new birth by the power of the Spirit (John 3:5–8). The Spirit comforts believers with fellowship and joy as they go through a hostile world (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The Spirit, in His mighty power, fills believers with “all joy and peace” as they trust the Lord, causing believers to “overflow with hope” (Romans 15:13).
Sanctification is another work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The Spirit sets Himself against the desires of the flesh and leads the believer into righteousness (Galatians 5:16–18). The works of the flesh become less evident, and the fruit of the Spirit becomes more evident (Galatians 5:19–26). Believers are commanded to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), which means they are to yield themselves to the Spirit’s full control.
The Holy Spirit is also a gift-giver. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them” (1 Corinthians 12:4). The spiritual gifts that believers possess are given by the Holy Spirit as He determines in His wisdom.
The Holy Spirit also does work among unbelievers. Jesus promised that He would send the Holy Spirit to “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8, ESV). The Spirit testifies of Christ (John 15:26), pointing people to the Lord. Currently, the Holy Spirit is also restraining sin and combating “the secret power of lawlessness” in the world. This action keeps the rise of the Antichrist at bay. Thessalonians 2:6–10).
The Holy Spirit also gives believers wisdom by which we can understand God. “The Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10–11). Since we have been given the amazing gift of God’s Spirit inside ourselves, we can comprehend the thoughts of God, as revealed in the Scripture. The Spirit helps us understand. This is wisdom from God, rather than wisdom from man. No amount of human knowledge can ever replace the Holy Spirit’s teaching (1 Corinthians 2:12–13).
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom--but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.
For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this tin words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (From: biblia.com)
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PROMISES OF GOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
God promised salvation to all who believe in His Son (Romans 1:16–17). There is no greater blessing than the free gift of God’s salvation.
God promised that all things will work out for good for His children (Romans 8:28). This is the broader picture that keeps us from being dismayed by present circumstances.
God promised comfort in our trials (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). He has a plan, and one day we will be able to share the comfort we receive.
God promised new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Salvation is the beginning of a brand-new existence.
God promised every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Whereas, in the Old Testament, Israel had the promise of physical blessing, the church today has been promised spiritual blessings “in the heavenly realms.” Our inheritance is reserved for us
(1 Peter 1:4).
God promised to finish the work He started in us (Philippians 1:6). God does nothing in half measures. He started the work in us, and He will be sure to complete it.
God promised peace when we pray (Philippians 4:6–7). His peace is protection. It will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ.”
God promised to supply our needs (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19). Not that we get everything we want, but our needs will be taken care of. We are more valuable than the birds, and our Heavenly Father feeds them
(Matthew 6:26).
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THE PREMISE'S OF JESUS
Jesus promised rest (Matthew 11:28–30). and our Burdens are lifted at Calvary.
Jesus promised abundant life to those who follow Him (John 10:10). Following Jesus brings us more spiritual fulfillment than we could have anticipated. We leave boring behind.
Jesus promised eternal life to those who trust Him (John 4:14). The Good Shepherd also promised to hold us securely: “No one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).
Jesus promised His disciples (Believers) power from on high (Acts 1:8). In this power, they “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6, ESV).
Jesus promised that He will return for us (John 14:2–3). we will be with Him always.
There are many more promises of God that could be listed. All of them find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, “the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3). “No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
(From: GotQuestions.org)