The church of today does not resemble the church of Jesus Christ in the first century. Why not?
There are
two main groups of churches. Denominational and non- Denominational. What is the difference?
Denominational
Church - A Christian
denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity that comprises
all church congregations of the same kind, identifiable by traits such as a
name, particular history, organization, leadership, theological doctrine,
worship style and, sometimes, a founder.
They all have a governing body.
Non-Denominational
Church – A
non-denominational church is a Christian church that does not affiliate with
any established denominations or mainstream churches, such as Baptist,
Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, or Methodist. Church denominations are larger
entities that possess a distinct identity, set of beliefs, and traditions. Each church has a governing body in the form
of pastors and elders.
Looking at
these definitions, one could surmise that they are very similar. Both have a distinct worshiping body and both
have a governing body. Would a
non-denominational then be considered a denominational church by definition?
Unfortunately,
the church of today does not resemble the church of Jesus Christ as was taught
to the disciples in the first century church.
Again, I ask, why not? The Bible is very clear as to how the church must
conducted. I will outline a few points that
are concerning to us all.
1. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to worship at
a church building. The original place of
worship was mostly in a person’s house.
We have been programed to meet at a building and if we do not make it to
the church building, we most often feel guilty for not attending.
2. The church has a hierarchy with the
pastor at top of the hill, followed by elders or a governing body. The pastor has been put on a pedestal as
being more important than the flock. Yet, Scripture tells us different story. Ephesians 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some
to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of
the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of
the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to
and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men,
in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in
love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the
whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to
the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the
body for the edifying of itself in love.
Nobody is greater than the other in the body of Christ. We all have an assignment in God’s church.
3. What is being taught in church
service of today? Pastors have become
story tellers, counselors, and in many cases, jokesters. Yet, we still are sick
and diseased before, during, and after service.
Ask yourself, others, and your pastor why? God has given us all the answers in His Word.
4. The children are separated from the
church service. This is not
Biblical. Jesus taught all ages at the
same time. The Bible is for all ages.
Does the Word of God say to separate the children from the mothers and
fathers? So shall My word be that
goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall
accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it
Isaiah 55:11.
5. Very few times have I seen the pastor
or worship leader call on the Helper/Holy Spirit, John 14:16, 26 And I will
pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with
you forever, 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in
My name, He will teach you all things.
The Holy Spirit is the most powerful entity here on earth sent by God
himself. Why is the Holy Spirit left out
of any gathering of God’s saints, especially at church services? Why do we fail to call on the Holy Spirit
before any decision we make? We make bad
decisions all the time, but the Holy Spirit makes all the right decisions every
time if we only call on the Holy Spirit.
Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great
and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Luke 11:13 You are sinful and you
know how to give good things to your children. How much more will your Father
in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Why are we not having on ongoing
conversation with the Holy Spirit throughout the day? Why
is this not being taught and why are we not calling on the Holy Spirit?
6. I have never seen a pastor put a
prayer on the screen and had the congregation pray out loud in unison. Prayer is very powerful spiritual declaration
against the dark kingdom. 1
Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give
thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
heavenly places.
7. Why do you think people come into
church service sick and diseased and leave sick and diseased when God promises
healing? Ask yourselves, pastors,
leadership why?
8. Where does sickness and disease come
from? Have you ever had anyone show you
what causes sickness and disease in the Bible?
Deuteronomy 28 tells us sickness and disease comes from
disobedience. Disobedience definition: The failure or refusal to obey rules or
someone in authority. In our case, it is
God. Disobedience is another word for
sin. Adam and Eve were sin free until
they disobeyed God. Jesus healed a man
who had an infirmity (physical or mental illness). Jesus identified the cause of the infirmity
(illness) as sin. John 5:5 Now a
certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw
him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long
time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered
Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up;
but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him,
“Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well,
took up his bed, and walked. And that
day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is
the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”11 He answered them,
“He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk. ” 12 Then they
asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13
But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a
multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and
said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse
thing come upon you.” Again, in John 8:3-11 Then the scribes and
Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her
in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery,
in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be
stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might
have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the
ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He
raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you,
let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on
the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being[g] convicted by their conscience,
went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was
left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised
Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are
those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one,
Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Her illness was an emotional issue and
Jesus healed her of adultery. This
confirms what Deuteronomy 28 tells us about the causes of sicknesses and
diseases.
9. Why isn’t there effective prayer for
the sick and diseased in church service? James 5:16 Confess your trespasses
to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The
effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Effective prayer is not praying for the
symptoms. Rather, we must look at the
causes the symptoms. Example:
Would you pray for depression which is a symptom of anxiety (stress and fear)
or would you pray and cast out the cause?
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. Which is more effective? Going to the doctor who gives drugs for the
treatment of depression or simply casting out the anxiety/stress/fear? Doctors cannot heal depression. God through His children heals
depression. Key is finding the causes of
sickness and disease. Science and
doctors are very good at diagnosing symptoms, but batting zero when it comes to
healing.
10. After his resurrection from the dead,
Jesus spent forty days with his disciples. Before ascending to heaven, he gave
the apostles important instructions before He left to be with His Father. This is referred to as “the Great
Commission.” Mark 16:15-18 And He
said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe
will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name
they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take
up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them;
they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Key points for them and us is to spread
the gospel, cast out demons (evil spirts), and lay hands (pray) on the sick so
they will be healed. Is this commission being taught by your church? Have you
seen pastors, leadership, elders, or anybody cast out demons? Jesus did (When evening had come, they
brought to Him many who were demon-possessed And He cast out the spirits
with a word, and healed all who were sick, Matthew 8:16). Demons are evil spirits. Fear, bitterness, and anger to name a few are
evil spirts. They need to cast out until
they are not an issue.
The Great
Commission has been my ministries’ backbone for the past 20 years. I challenge all of you to go deeper in the
Word of God and do what He calls us to do which is to bring people out of
captivity, especially yourself and your family. Let us all be accountable
before our Lord God, Amen!
Isaiah
61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me
(Us) To preach
good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our
God; To comfort all who mourn. To console those who mourn in
Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, The garment
of praise for the spirit of heaviness (depression);
That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Luke
10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
2 Timothy
1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power (authority) and of love and of a
sound mind.
Folks, when
are we going to wake up? Let us all
bring those in captivity out of captivity in Jesus Name. Tony Sanchez, 5-18-2024
