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.
Luke defines the precise moment that Christianity was born, at the first Feast of Pentecost that took place following the Resurrection. Pentecost is a Jewish holiday in remembrance of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. On this occasion, Jesus' followers felt a mighty, rushing wind that filled the building. This wind was the Holy Spirit.
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.
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.
This is a mistaken view. In the Book of John (Chapter 14, verses 15 to 18). Here, Jesus says that the Father will send down a helper, who will abide with us forever. That inexplicable, overwhelming sadness that you feel when you visit a church and you have not been baptized, that is the Holy Spirit, gently reminding you that you are a sinner and not right with God.
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.
Luke defines the precise moment that Christianity was born, at the first Feast of Pentecost that took place following the Resurrection. Pentecost is a Jewish holiday in remembrance of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. On this occasion, Jesus' followers felt a mighty, rushing wind that filled the building. This wind was the Holy Spirit.
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.
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.
This is a mistaken view. In the Book of John (Chapter 14, verses 15 to 18). Here, Jesus says that the Father will send down a helper, who will abide with us forever. That inexplicable, overwhelming sadness that you feel when you visit a church and you have not been baptized, that is the Holy Spirit, gently reminding you that you are a sinner and not right with God.
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.
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