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.
According to the Book of Acts, it is possible to define the exact moment the Christian church was formed. On the first Feast of Pentecost after Christ ascended into heaven, the 12 apostles and around 124 other followers, including Jesus' mother and brothers, gathered in one place. Without warning, a strong wind came and filled the entire building. Above every head were tongues of fire. Everyone there was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking with other tongues, meaning in other languages.
This moment became known as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and it happens to everyone who gets baptized in water as a Christian. The rite of baptism signifies publicly that the subject has turned their back on sin, that they believe that Jesus was the Son of God and that he died for our sins. It is not enough to believe; demons believe. If you want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you have to be born again through water.
The acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit is what separates fundamentalists from other Christians. Some people go their entire lives thinking that the Holy Ghost referred to Jesus after the Resurrection and that he left the planet when he ascended into heaven.
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.
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.
We are not alone. God did send the helper that Jesus promised. When two or more people gather in the name of the Lord, he is there.
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.
According to the Book of Acts, it is possible to define the exact moment the Christian church was formed. On the first Feast of Pentecost after Christ ascended into heaven, the 12 apostles and around 124 other followers, including Jesus' mother and brothers, gathered in one place. Without warning, a strong wind came and filled the entire building. Above every head were tongues of fire. Everyone there was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking with other tongues, meaning in other languages.
This moment became known as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and it happens to everyone who gets baptized in water as a Christian. The rite of baptism signifies publicly that the subject has turned their back on sin, that they believe that Jesus was the Son of God and that he died for our sins. It is not enough to believe; demons believe. If you want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you have to be born again through water.
The acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit is what separates fundamentalists from other Christians. Some people go their entire lives thinking that the Holy Ghost referred to Jesus after the Resurrection and that he left the planet when he ascended into heaven.
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.
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.
We are not alone. God did send the helper that Jesus promised. When two or more people gather in the name of the Lord, he is there.
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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