 |
| From: http://jonlotc.blogspot.com |
Have you not asked the question "Why are there so many different churches?"
I could write about the creation of churches, and doctrinal opinions etc, but i want this to be understood by all and want to tell people what to look out for and what to look for.
Basically most Churches are found on teaching of Jesus, and if you want to know about Jesus, check Wikipedia or walk into a church and ask or may be wait for my next post. Now, Jesus had done some major changes in the history of Jewish Religion and with the people there. And he had asked his disciples [means:students] (later known as apostles [means: ambassador])to spread his teachings and the good news of salvation (that means Jesus knows something to get you out of the rut of life).
Jesus taught principles of living (which does not include yoga) a life with a purpose and meaning, with a goal to achieve each day and a goal for life time. He had started some practices and ended many followed by the people who lived in Israel. Now this was followed by his followers after he ascended to heaven. The earliest documentation are historic and there has been a study into this made and you could read it on Wikipedia. The Early Christian (found in Book of Acts) was lead by the apostles and taught to continue this practice. After the death of Apostles this was further continued and some where in between 300 AD Churches became fundamental moral and judicial institutions of societies. 
Some where in this the purpose of Churches changed from declaring the truth about Christ to ruling over people in the Europe, (read Dark Ages) and similar changes else where in the world. India, being isolated had a slow change to Papal System. This occurred only by 1600s when the Portuguese unified all Indian Churches to the European Churches. But reforms occurred initially against tributes paid to Europe, and later against the whole institutionalization of Churches. This was seen at synchronous manner in the Americas, India, Middle East and Europe like a wave of change. Many left the Roman Catholic Church, especially after Gutenberg published Bible. Once people had the message in their hands they realized that there was more to Church than the building it self. This is called Revival. 
Revivals resulted in formation of many denominations as they were not done by an individual in a country. Just as Linux has many favors, are there Churches in the World. The news was spread wide, many bewildering events happened in places and a new fire for Christ came in men and women. People no longer saw women as scums of the society, but rather as fellow beings. Slavery was fought (Martin Luther King), Idolatry which started in Churches during medieval times was removed, and people gained the meaning of what Jesus said " And if you remain in me,..., You shall know the truth, and the Truth will let you free" . This passion formed many Churches in America, Europe, Asia, Australia. But its has been over 200 or more years after these Churches have come up and they like the previous Churches are being converted to Institutions. This is where we fall people, Jesus NEVER wanted a Church. Jesus ONLY wanted relatives. Modern Churches try not to create a new creed just to tell that they are different, but however human errors are to be accounted. Christ is strong and firm, his words are same and have stood over many waters and ages. People who were martyrs for Christianity did not look for personal gain, but rather to remove people from the walls they have build to create a class system in name of religion, social status, economic , ancestral , cultural differences. At the core of every Church, you will notice these:
- Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit : God is Trinity in Unity.
- Orgin of Sin: Man is a sinner, we have a natural desire to sin.
- Lack of Substitute: If I sin, I must pay the penalty
- Salvation: Jesus Christ, did no Sin, took our sin. This was not our merit, but the grace of God
- Bible: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. (Version are meant for understanding)
- Acceptance and Declaration of Faith: Confession of Sin, Confession that Jesus took our Sins, Declaring Faith
- Baptism: Public Proclamation of Faith of an Individual in act of Water Baptism
- Communal Relationship: Breaking of Bread, Supporting Church and Everyone in It, Corporate Worship
- Evangelism: To tell others how you feel about the safe blanket of Christ
- New Life: Christ has made you a different being and so do not go back to being a junky.
- Future: Belief that death is not the end, but just a pause for a greater day, and the second coming of Christ
If one is to study Christ Jesus, he would know that he worked with authority and humility. He teaches to share, care, and be concerned. He is not interested in a new church or denomination, but is rather interested in the business of adopting the lost, telling them to have the passion he has, hate the evil, look future with hope and trust that HE WAS, HE IS and HE WILL BE.
This is my opinion and is not related to any teaching of any Church.
Comments