There are many people in the world today. We all come
from different places, have different experiences, and have different
ideas/opinions. Many people have very strong opinions about God and religion, which
means they have strong opinions about the church.
The church started back after Jesus' death. On the day of Pentecost many of Jesus' followers were in one place. Then the Holy Spirit came upon them. They were able to speak in different languages and many were saved that day (Acts.2).
Now, when Jesus left, he told his Disciples to, "go and make disciples of all nations" (Mat.28.19). But, the disciples stayed in Jerusalem. See, these people where under the impression that the Jews were still the only ones who needed to hear about Jesus, or they may have been uncomfortable leaving Jerusalem. Whatever the case may be they decided to stay in Jerusalem. That is not what they were called to do so God caused Christians to be persecuted so that they would leave and spread the good news (Acts.8.1-3).
Wherever the apostles went they preached the good news. Many came to Christ and churches were created. Now, here's the thing about these churches: they were not buildings. These churches were the people. It did not matter where they met, they met in people's homes and studied the word/listened to the word.
This principle reminds me of a quote from Thor: Ragnrock, "Asgard's not a place, it's a people." We could truly say of the church "The Church is not a place, it's a people." Many times I think we get caught up in thinking the church is a building; or that if we are Mennonite or Pentecostal then we are against each other because we have differing opinions.
It does not matter what denomination you come from, as long as we believe that Christ died for our sins and we must accept him in our hearts and follow him then we are united. Are there churches that don't preach that message? Yes, and those who preach that message will answer to God. But, the point is, many times we tend to focus on the differences of the church. It is time we focus on our similarities. We are one Church because we are one people who believe in Christ. It is time we unite to preach the message to all nations just as the early church was called to do. If we do not, we are disobeying God and hindering others from hearing about him.
The church started back after Jesus' death. On the day of Pentecost many of Jesus' followers were in one place. Then the Holy Spirit came upon them. They were able to speak in different languages and many were saved that day (Acts.2).
Now, when Jesus left, he told his Disciples to, "go and make disciples of all nations" (Mat.28.19). But, the disciples stayed in Jerusalem. See, these people where under the impression that the Jews were still the only ones who needed to hear about Jesus, or they may have been uncomfortable leaving Jerusalem. Whatever the case may be they decided to stay in Jerusalem. That is not what they were called to do so God caused Christians to be persecuted so that they would leave and spread the good news (Acts.8.1-3).
Wherever the apostles went they preached the good news. Many came to Christ and churches were created. Now, here's the thing about these churches: they were not buildings. These churches were the people. It did not matter where they met, they met in people's homes and studied the word/listened to the word.
This principle reminds me of a quote from Thor: Ragnrock, "Asgard's not a place, it's a people." We could truly say of the church "The Church is not a place, it's a people." Many times I think we get caught up in thinking the church is a building; or that if we are Mennonite or Pentecostal then we are against each other because we have differing opinions.
It does not matter what denomination you come from, as long as we believe that Christ died for our sins and we must accept him in our hearts and follow him then we are united. Are there churches that don't preach that message? Yes, and those who preach that message will answer to God. But, the point is, many times we tend to focus on the differences of the church. It is time we focus on our similarities. We are one Church because we are one people who believe in Christ. It is time we unite to preach the message to all nations just as the early church was called to do. If we do not, we are disobeying God and hindering others from hearing about him.
So, do you believe that the church isn't a place, it's a people? Are you
willing to unite with others churches to spend the good news? What can you do
to spread the good news of the gospel today?
Image from here.
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