When did the church first start?
A
After the resurrection, in Acts of the Apostles chapter 2, by the power of God, the Holy Spirit was outpoured on the apostles of Jesus Christ. This was, the beginning of the Church, an amazing supernatural happening, born of God and not of men. Peter, the apostle, was the first to stand up and explain what had happened. As you follow the book of Acts through you will see how the power of God was demonstrated through some amazing men.
“ So the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch”( which is in North West Syria). Acts 11:26 That took place over 2000 years ago at the birth of the church of Jesus Christ which was not just another religion!
Why so many religions?
Before I gave my life to Jesus Christ, I often asked the question,“ Why are there so many religions?” without any real clarity given to me. Since then, over 40 years now, I have also been asked the same question many times. Church history provides very clear answers to this question. We can begin to name many but the most known ones are Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, Baptist, Evangelical etc. There are other less popular ones like the
Church of Scientology, Buddhism, Hinduism and many others too numerous to mention. Then you have cults which may also practice some form of religion.
People today want a multifaith society like the New Age movement or the‘ All Faiths and None’( AFAN) movement. We have gone so far from the truth and practice of the early church that Jesus the Son of God is now left knocking on the door of most churches( Revelation 3:19). Jesus explained that He was the only way to God( John 14:6).
God’ s power has not stopped working through mankind since the day of Pentecost. Many of us believers have stopped looking to God and are looking to movements and people. We want to be approved by men. Often we follow our own thoughts or ways instead of God’ s, which are higher than ours. We expelled the Holy Spirit out of meetings and only mention Him in prayer or song. The reality of the Holy Spirit seems to have disappeared from many Churches, we seem afraid to let Him guide. We need to return to our roots.
Scripture states that, God hates division and the man through whom that division comes( Proverbs 6). No wonder we are not seeing the power of God move among the churches today as we did in the past.
Where is the Church?
There are many religions and cults but only one true faith remains and that is in the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. Sin so easily besets us, and no movement of men can make an atonement for sin. Jesus is the Truth and He is alive. He only, has the keys to death and hell having overcame death on the cross. All we have to do is repent and believe. Jesus said,“ If I am lifted up above the earth, I will make everyone want to come to me.” John 12:32.
May you be drawn to the real Jesus, who was resurrected and is still Alive. He died for our sins and loves us with an everlasting love. He is not part of any manmade movement. He made man and only He can move the hearts of men. He is the movement, He is the only Way!
He is knocking at the doors of many hearts today. If He is knocking at yours, will you open and let Him in? p
By Barbara Payne intercessor, worship leader, retired minister and Divorce Care counsellor
April- June 2016 SHARE | MAGAZINE | 21