The Church that Jesus Christ built has faced challenges throughout history, as depicted in Revelation 2 and 3, where Christ addresses the seven churches of Asia Minor. These churches symbolize both literal first-century congregations and different periods of Church history. The first, Ephesus, represents the Apostolic era, where the Church struggled with false teachings and lost its zeal after Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD. Smyrna,…
Story Category: The Church
Pentecost, the Spiritual Connection – Brian Orchard leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
5 months ago in The Church
There are many lessons we can learn from God’s relationship with ancient Israel. By covenant, they became a called-out people destined to live by God’s law, with God dwelling among them (Exodus 25:8-9). However, this relationship was external. Israel did not have internal access to God’s Spirit; this changed with Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 9:14-15). Through Christ, the new covenant involves God’s Spirit dwelling within believers,…
The Silent Division: Mixing Politics and Faith – Michelle Macedo & Werner Solorzano churchofgodnetwork.org
Ryan Welsh
9 months ago in The Church
In our religious community, recent shifts have introduced subtle divisions fueled by non-doctrinal factors like politics. As Christians, our identity is rooted in Christ’s teachings, emphasizing love, compassion, and the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately, political ideologies infiltrating our church have led to silent divisions, hindering our shared mission. Drawing inspiration from Alcoholics Anonymous, we should adopt a non-controversial approach, prioritizing the Gospel and avoiding worldly…
Can the True Church Be Found? – Richard T. Ritenbaugh cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
9 months ago in The Church
In the midst of the prevailing spiritual confusion and myriad belief systems, the profound words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18 bring solace: “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” These turbulent times, akin to the words of Thomas Paine, are soul-trying, and amidst the clamor, seekers face the challenge of discerning the true church. Religious diversity, denominations,…
The True Nature of Leadership – Brian Orchard leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
9 months ago in The Church
The world is experiencing a leadership crisis in various sectors, including politics, education, business, and within the Churches. This analysis focuses on the nature of leadership rather than specific principles. From a worldly perspective, leadership is often tied to power, position, and status, yet possessing a title doesn’t guarantee effective leadership. There’s a growing expectation for leaders to fix issues without demanding personal responsibility. In…
Are You a Christian? – David C. Grabbe cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
9 months ago in The Church
The naming of disciples as “Christians” in Antioch marked a significant moment in the early spread of Christianity (Acts 11:26). While Shakespeare’s Juliet argued that names hold little significance compared to a person’s essence, names serve as essential points of reference for communication. In Antioch, the disciples were labeled “Christianos,” meaning “followers of Christ.” This term, though potentially coined in mockery, took root and was…
Five Doctrines Which Identify God’s Church – Gary L Alexander hwalibrary.com
Steven Orchard
1 year ago in The Church
The linked Good News article from 1974 summarizes five key doctrines that are unique to the Church of God, as distinguished from counterfeit teachings of so-called Christianity. They are helpful reminders of the core defining doctrines of the true Body of Christ. PLAN OF GOD The weekly Sabbath and annual Holy Days describe God’s plan for humankind through seven steps and three annual seasons. The…
The Purpose of the Church thefatherscall.org
Ryan Welsh
4 years ago in God Family, The Church
Like the buildup in a great movie this article lays out the course of human existence. Man was created not just for a great purpose but to be an integral part of the process. That great and simple purpose, as typified by the nuclear family, was the creation of an eternal spiritual family. However Satan, the influential force within this world, has positioned himself as…