William H. Smith February 15, 2002

1204 Christmas Tree Lane about 400 words

Pearce, Az. 85625

303-36-7671

(520) 826-1029

The Church

By

William H. Smith

The word “church” is used twice in the gospels, and both of these are in Matthew, 16:18 & 18:17. In Acts the word is used twenty times. Pentecost was the day that life was given to Jesus Christ’s Church, it was it’s birthday.

Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter and tells him, “And I say also unto thee, on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Although Peter was to deny he knew Jesus three times, he was still regarded as a rock from which Jesus built his church. By his denial of Christ, Peter became a solid follower of his. (Mathew 16:18)

The author Luke wrote the book of Acts.

The apostles spoke to the multitude of people, and they marveled hearing them speak in their own language. About three thousand souls were added to the Church, after they received the word and were baptized.

Acts chapter eight, Saul was making havoc of the Church. In chapter nine Saul’s name was changed to Paul, and he became a follower of Christ. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts chapter fourteen verse twenty-three is the first mention of elders in every Church, the elders are to be overseer’s of every Church group, and the door of faith was opened to the Gentiles. Much of Paul’s time was spent confirming the Church groups, as the groups were established in faith, and increased in numbers. Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

Christ is the head of God’s Church, and Christians are the members. Luke writes of Paul’s travels, and gives his accounting of the growth of the Church. Today man is giving his version of the Church by local usage. The Christians’ day of assembly was made on Sunday by order of Emperor Constantine. From the time of Constantine to this day the Church has been filled with paganism and has grown into the religious, self-serving church groups we have today, some being worse than others. Most practice religion instead of Christianity.

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