When it comes to religion, we tend to think that the Catholics were the first Christians and that Henry VIII of England started his own version so that he could legally divorce his barren wife. If you're a Christian and you are not a Catholic, then you are some branch of protestant, be it Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Nazarene, Episcopalian, et cetera. What may surprise most people is that the fundamental Christian church, and not Rome, was actually the first to follow the teachings of Jesus.
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.
In the Book of Acts, its describes the events that took place at the First Feast of Pentecost that occurred after the Resurrection. The founders of Christianity were gathered together in a room when, out of nowhere, a powerful wind filled the room. Every head was anointed by a tongue of fire, and every voice spoke in a different tongue.
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.
That feeling of electricity when you're on your feet with your fellow worshippers, praising your Creator with the same enthusiasm as you do at a concert or a football game, that's the Holy Spirit, too. When your pastor blesses you and channels God's power so strongy that you fall into a faint, that is also the work of the Holy Spirit. When you come to, it's like waking up from the most refreshing sleep ever.
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.
In the Book of Acts, its describes the events that took place at the First Feast of Pentecost that occurred after the Resurrection. The founders of Christianity were gathered together in a room when, out of nowhere, a powerful wind filled the room. Every head was anointed by a tongue of fire, and every voice spoke in a different tongue.
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.
That feeling of electricity when you're on your feet with your fellow worshippers, praising your Creator with the same enthusiasm as you do at a concert or a football game, that's the Holy Spirit, too. When your pastor blesses you and channels God's power so strongy that you fall into a faint, that is also the work of the Holy Spirit. When you come to, it's like waking up from the most refreshing sleep ever.
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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