people who are saved and abiding in Christ.
They believed the Gospel message, and as a result, they admitted,
repented and confessed their sins, asked for forgiveness and believed
on the Lord Jesus(Acts2:37-41), they continue daily in the doctrines
and teachings of the Bible(Acts3:42).
Having Christ as their Lord(The Head), they(as the body) being subject
to Christ, wants to please Christ in all things(Eph.5:23).
A Church as we can see from the Bible days is not a gathering of
sinners(which does not mean, we can't invite sinners to Church
programmes so that they can get saved).
You can be a member of a denomination, but that does not necessarily
mean you are a member of the Church of God. You become a member of the
Church of God, when you act like the group mentioned above.
CHRIST GAVE HIMSELF FOR THE CHURCH; NOT JUST FOR SINNERS ALONE
'...even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it;
That He might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE it with the washing of water by the
word. That He might present it to Himself a GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT
HAVING SPOT, OR WRINKLE, OR ANY SUCH THING; but that it should be HOLY
and WITHOUT BLEMISH(Eph.5:25-27).
From the texts above, we can see that Christ's death was:
1. To get sinners saved and justified so that they can become members
of the church of the Living God.
2. To sanctify and make these new members of the church holy and pure.
His death is not just to IMPUTE(credit) righteousness to the sinner,
but also, to IMPART(implant) the nature of righteousness into the new
believer.
THE CHURCH FUNCTION AND ORDER OF SERVICE
The Church building is a building meant for the body of Christ to
carry out solemn activities and at such all activities must conform
with biblical standards and methods.
The activities of the early Church were characterised with
praying,singing,preaching,miracles,charity,The Lord's
supper,evangelism, teaching, manifestation of the gifts ot the Spirit
and so on.
The sole aim of all these activities were to edify, educate,
enlighten, develop and improve the spiritual lives of the members in
preparation for the Rapture(1Cor.14:12).
There is no activity set aside to amuse, entertain and crack up the
body of Christ.
How come the introduction of comedy shows into church programmes?
How come the noisy, showy activities, where did we get that from?
Are we in Church to get edified and prepared for heaven or to gratify
the desires of our flesh with so called gospel songs that are
worldly-tailored.
Charlse H. Spurgeon, in his article titled 'FEEDING SHEEP OR AMUSING
GOATS?', wrote: "...providing amusement is nowhere spoken of in the
Scriptures as a function of the Church. If it is a christian work, why
did not Christ speak of it? 'Go ye into all the world and preach the
gospel to every creature'(mark16:15). That is clear enough. So it
would have been, If He had added, 'and provide amusement for those who
do not relish(enjoy) the gospel'. No such words however are to be
found. It does not seem to occur to Him"
Paul the Apostles, onseeing that speaking in tongue and other
spiritual gifts have been turned into a thing of show in the
Corinthian Church, thus breeding disorderliness, admonished them
saying:
'If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at most
by three,...let one interpret. But If there be no interpreter let them
keep silence in the Church, let him speak to himself and to God'
'Let all things be done decently and in other'.
'...let all things be done unto edifying(not for show, carnality or
fleshly gratification)'.
[1Cor.14:27-28,40,26).
IN ADDITION,
- The Church should be the pillar and ground of truth and not a place
of falsehood and heresy(1 Tim.3:15)
The bible should always be our guide.
- Before an individual becomes a leader/worker in a church, he must be
saved,living a holy live,filled with the HolySpirit, not greedy of
financial gain, ready to work, patient, hospitable, If married, must
be a husband of one wife, ruling his house and having his children
under subjection.(1Tim.3:2-4, Acts6:3).
- Females are admonished to have their hair covered during Church
service(1Cor.11:4-16).
- Agape Love, sharing and caring for one another should characterise
the church(Acts3:44-45).
-Erring workers should be disciplined, sin should not be condoled or
overlooked(1Cor.5:1-4,9-13).
-The church premise is not a place to display fashion or nudity. Let
all things be done in moderation and decently(1Cor.14:40,Phil4:5).
- Members should be adviced to give, not compelled. Giving should be
done from a willing heart(Acts4:5).
-Misunderstanding between the brethren should be settled amicably,
within the church setting, not in the court of Law(1Cor.6:1-8).
How did the early christians feel after hearing Christ or the
Apostles preach; EXCITED? AMUSED? PUFFED UP IN THE FLESH? No.
They were pricked in their hearts, they were convicted, they felt
sober, they saw their shortcomings and pressed for repentance. They
became more conscious of heaven and were eager to no what to do in
order to get there.
THIS IS HOW EVERY GENUINE CHURCH SERVICE SHOULD BE.
IF WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE AND BELIEVE IN CHRIST, WE HAVE TO DO IT LIKE
THEY DID IT.
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