whn did your church start?

Question

Some might say "with christ" but can you historicaly trace your church back to peter and paul and john.

Can you trace your beliefs back to what they thought and believed.

There are other writings that dont contradict but help interpret the bible and these are written from 60ad and shed light on the truth.

is anyoneinterested in that or are people more interested in the wide way and not the narrow gate

Answer 1

A church is not a true church because it can trace its history through the years, a church is a true church if it can trace its doctrine to the truth in God's word!

A church may be able to trace historically back to a certain point in time, but that does not mean they still teach the same thing. If two churches teach different doctrines, they are not the same church. This is true if those churches are separated by either miles or years!

For example, I know of a church that met in the same location for many years. This church once was very conservative, but as time went on, and new families moved in, that congregation became quite liberal and even began to teach and do things that those who originally met there had taught as sinful.

While some would say that this same church had been there for many years, I contend that it was no longer the same church. A new church had taken the place of, and even the name of the old church that was once there.

Today, we need to return to the doctrine taught in the Bible! If we do this, we will be the same church as the early Christians were in Acts 2, because we will have followed the same doctrine and standard of authority! When we do this, we will be that same church, even if we cannot follow the history of years to the first century.

One more example; I have a very old book of rules for card games. Some of these games I have never heard of. If I open this book, and follow the rules without changing them, I would be playing an old game. I would not have invented a new game, but I would be playing the same game that was invented years ago.

Suppose, however, someone else grew playing this game, but over time they modified the rules. Over time, different members of the family added or changed rules just a little, but this was done several times. They would not be playing the same old game because they are following new rules. While they can trace back history to the old game and the game they now play is mostly the same, it nevertheless, is not the same game.

The Bible is the rule book for the church. If we are to be members of the same church, we must follow the same rules.

Answer 2

Well, actually I do not have a church.....but I was added to HIS church when I became a Christian.

Christ said that HE would build HIS church (singular) Matt. 16:18...

He did NOT say that He would build a bunch of different denominations with conflicting doctrines and traditions that are contrary to the very oracles of God.

Where the word churches (plural) is used in scripture it is NEVER used to designate different denominations, but rather, CHRIST's church in different locations/communities. Example: Corinth, Ephesus, Jerusalem, etc.

VARIOUS REASONS WHY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT A DENOMINATION
1. Denominationalism is contrary to the Lord's prayer (John 17:20, 21).
2. Denominationalism is a fruitful cause of infidelity (John 17:20, 21).
3. Denominationalism is wrong because Christ is not divided (1 Cor. 1:11-13).
4. Denominationalism is wrong because the body of Christ is one, not many (1 Cor. 12:
13, 20; Eph 4:4; Col 3:15).
5. Denominationalism is contrary to one of the basic purposes of Calvary's cross
(Eph. 2:15, 16).
6. Denominationalism is a vain attempt to serve God (Matt. 15:9; Psalm 127:1).
7. Denominationalism divides homes, when God wants homes united (Joshua 24:15;
Amos 3:3; Mark 3:25).
8. Denominationalism is contrary to Paul's plea for unity, for undenominational
Christianity (1 Cor. 1:10).
9. Denominationalism is contrary to the apostles' doctrine (Rom. 16:17, 18).
10. Denominationalism is a sin that God hates (Proverbs 6:6-19).
11. Denominationalism implies that God is the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14: 33).
12. Denominationalism is not apostolic.
13. Denominationalism is destined for destruction (Mark 3:24, 25).

THE CHURCH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
(1) Divine in origin.
(Matt. 16:18;Daniel 2:44).

(2) Will last forever .
(Dan. 2:44; Heb. 12:28, 29).

(3) Designated by Bible names.
(Rom. 16:16; Acts 20: 28, 1 Cor. 1:2).

(4) First century in origin.
(Acts 2:47).

(5) Heavenly headquarters.
(Eph.1:22,23; 1 Peter 3:22).

(6) Bible only
(Acts 2:42; 1 Pet. 4:11; Gal.1:6-9; Rev. 22:18, 19; Jude 3).

(7) Added to
(Acts 2:4)

(8) Essential to salvation
(Eph. 7). 5:23; Acts 20:28).

(9) His church was purchased by His blood
(Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25).

(10) The apostles were members of His church (Acts 2:41).

(11) The church of Christ's choice
(Matt. 16:18,19; Col. 1:24).

(12) Entered by believing, repenting confessing and being baptized
(Acts 2:36-47; 8:26-40).

(13) Jerusalem the birthplace of His church
(Zechariah 1:16; Isaiah 2:1-4; Mark 9:1; Luke 24:46; Acts 1:1-4).

Considering that HE said that HE would build HIS church (singular), and that He is not the author of confusion, and denominations are FULL of confusion....the ONLY church to consider to be in the NARROW way is the church of CHRIST.

Hope this helps.

Have a great tomorrow :o)

Answer 3

Yes.

Unlike churches like, say, the catholic church, which started in the 4th century, there is a continuous line of churches who believe and practiced as mine does. It's not a particular denomination, it's more a continuous doctrinal position that hasn't changed in 2000 years.

When you read about the church in Rome, or Ephesus, or Thessalonica, you're reading about churches that are in my "denomination" so to speak. They were founded by Paul, Peter, or other early disciples and have as their only foundation Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

Your assuming that my church is xtian, which sez alot. AS for being on some broad way, there are very few people who believe what I do - does that count towards finding a narrowy path to Where Ever?..

According to the NT Jesus said that only he knew the way to the Kingdom of God, but he also believed that the common herd - the swine - weren't entitled to know what it was directly, so he deliberately confused the issue by telling parables, and didn't tell anyone but his closest disciples, who forgot about it all after his death!...

Answer 5

You are probably referring to "The Early Church Fathers".

The Church didn't officially start until Pentecost, as noted in Acts 2, when the apostles and others with them were endowed with power from the Holy Spirit.

Answer 6

My church started at 9:00am on Sunday.

Oh...

(Actually I have done a LOT of historical study with regards to Christianity. It's quite fascinating.)