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.
Everyone in that room was baptized in the Holy Spirit. The same thing happens today when someone gets baptized in water. The purpose of baptism is to publicly demonstrate that a person has renounced sin and made a conscious decision to follow the path or righteousness. This is essential to get into heaven, it's not enough just to believe. Remember, demons believe.
One of the critical differences between fundamentalist Christians and other churches is its emphasis on the Holy Spirit as the third member of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Some people call him the Holy Ghost. This gives the impression that he was the form of Christ after the Resurrection and that he ascended into heaven as a ghost and has not been seen or heard from since.
In John 14:15-18, Jesus tells us that he will ask his Father to send down a helper to live with us until the end of time. If you have been baptized, did you ever feel overwhelmingly sad when you were in a church? That was the Holy Spirit letting you know that you are a sinner and that you need to get yourself straight with God and get baptized. Your first time back there after being baptized, that sad feeling was replaced with a feeling of elation.
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.
Everyone in that room was baptized in the Holy Spirit. The same thing happens today when someone gets baptized in water. The purpose of baptism is to publicly demonstrate that a person has renounced sin and made a conscious decision to follow the path or righteousness. This is essential to get into heaven, it's not enough just to believe. Remember, demons believe.
One of the critical differences between fundamentalist Christians and other churches is its emphasis on the Holy Spirit as the third member of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Some people call him the Holy Ghost. This gives the impression that he was the form of Christ after the Resurrection and that he ascended into heaven as a ghost and has not been seen or heard from since.
In John 14:15-18, Jesus tells us that he will ask his Father to send down a helper to live with us until the end of time. If you have been baptized, did you ever feel overwhelmingly sad when you were in a church? That was the Holy Spirit letting you know that you are a sinner and that you need to get yourself straight with God and get baptized. Your first time back there after being baptized, that sad feeling was replaced with a feeling of elation.
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.
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