Churches of Christ

16015790638_f82592b625_bThe Churches of Christ denomination grew out of the American Restoration Movement in the 1840s. The ealy members sought the unification of all Christian believers into a community like the Early Christian Church. Today there are over 2 million members.

Beliefs include:

1. The inspiration of the Bible with the New Testament being superior to the Old Testament. See: 1 Peter 1:9-11, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Tim 3:16-17, Luke 24:27, 44.

2. They believe that the OT covenant are done away with under the New Covenant. See: Revelation 14:12, Hebrews 8:10, John 14:15, 1 John 2:3-4, James 2:10-12.

3. They believe in the immortality of the soul. See: Genesis 2:7, Job 27:3, Psalm 146:4, 6-5, 115:17, Ecclesiastes 12:7, John 11:11-14, 1 Timothy 6:15-16.

4. They believe that Sunday replaces Saturday Sabbath. See Genesis 2:1-3.

Exodus 20.8-11, Ezekiel 20:12-20, Isaiah 66:22-23, Luke 4:16, 6:5, Matthew 24:20, 12:8, Acts 13:42-44, Revelation 1:10.

5. They believe that Communion must be celebrated at every worship service.

Study the Bible today to learn more about the Bible and what scripture say on certain Christian issues.

 

Christian Science

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Why So Many Denominations? continued…

The year 1844 was a time that saw much religious change. Science started taking a more prominent role due to Darwin’s theory of Evolution. This theory even impacted religious institutions thinking toward God and Creation. One such denomination was the Church of Christ, Scientist which was founded in 1894 by Mary Baker Eddy, in Boston, Massachusetts. Christian Science believes that reality is spiritual and that the real world is an illustion! They believe that the spiritual mind has power over that material world. Unfortunately Christian Science does not believe that Bible, seeing it only as figurative or symbolic. They also think there is no devil and therefore no evil! They have no ordained ministers! Concerning the Creation account, it is seen as merely spiritual and allegorical.

Q&A:

  1. The Bible: John 5:39, 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 5:39; 2 Peter 1:21.
  2. No Devil: Ezekiel 28: 12-15; Isaiah 14:12-14; Matthew 4:1-6; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:10-12.
  3. Immortality of the Soul: Excel. 12:7; Job 27:3; Psalms 146:4, 6:5, 115:17; John 11:11-14; 1 Timothy 6:15-16; Genesis 2:7.

Roman Catholicism

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Why So Many Denominations? continued…

The Roman Catholic Church developed power after Christ’s death and resurrection in 538 AD. They believe that the Apostle Peter was the first Pope even though Matthew 16:18-19 states that, what Peter said regarding Christ’s divinity is the keys to the kingdom!  Jesus said,

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

Catholics believe the Pope to be the authority, above scripture! Catholics have similar believes:

The Godhead, Virgin Birth, obedience, inspiration of the Bible, the Secuod coming of Christ and the importance of prayer. The major doctrinal differences that sparked the Reformation are:

1.) Papal succession, read: Eph. 1:22, 4:15; Ps. 62:1-3; Deut. 32:3-4; 1 Peter 2:7; 1 Cor. 10:4.

2.) Tradition above the Bible: John 17:17, 5:39, 16:7-13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2:15.

3.) Purgatory: Ps.6:5, 115:17; Eccl. 9:5; Heb 4:15; Eph. 2:8, Rom. 3:25-26.

4. Sacraments: Eph. 2:5; Rom. 6:14-15, 3:25-31.

5. Immaculate conception: Rom. 3:23; 3:9-12, Is 64:6?

6.) Confession: Heb. 4:14-16; ; 1 John 1:9 .

Jesus Christ is only Meditor and Saviour.!

Why So Many Denominations?

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And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

Baptist

The Baptist Church was created from a rediscovery of immersion baptism found in the Bible and exemplified by Christ. This was in opposition to the Roman Catholic Church’s use of sprinkling, even though at one time the Church did use immersion baptism. The first Baptist church was founded in 1609 by John Smyth, an English Separatist,  in Dutch Republic, Amsterdam.

The Baptist Church believes:

  1. In the Bible.
  2. Salvation through grace alone.
  3. The Godhead.
  4. The fact of Christ’s Second Coming.
  5. Baptism by immersion.
  6. Separation of church and state.
  7. The secret rapture.
  8. The Immortality of the soul.
  9. Eternal Torment.
  10. One saved always saved.
  11. Sunday sacredness.
  12. 10 Commandments are done away with.

Q: What does the Bible say in regards to the rapture?                                                                     A: 1 Thess. 4:16,17; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Matthew 13:30, 24:27; Psalm 50:3; Luke 17:26-37

Q: What does the Bible say in regards to the death?                                                                    A: 1 Timothy 6:15,16; Genesis 2:7; Ecc.12:7; Job 27:3; Ps. 146:4, 6:5, 115:17; John 11:11-14.

Q: What does the Bible say in regards to eternal torment?                                                                    A: Malachi 4:1-3; Jude 7; Hebrews 12:29; 2 Peter 2:6; Rev. 20:9; Ps 37:10-11,20,38.

Q: What does the Bible say in regards to salvation?                                                                    A: 1 Cor. 15:1,2; 2 Peter 2:20-22; 1 Cor. 9:27, Phil. 4:3, Rev. 3:5.

Q: What does the Bible say about Sunday?                                                                                     A: Genesis 2:1-3; ex. 20:8-11; Is. 66:22-23; Ezek. 20:12-20; Luke 4:16; Matt. 24:20, 12:8; Rev 1:10.

Q: Does the Bible say the law was done away with?                                                                    A: Ps. 40:8; Hebrew 8:10; John 14:15; Romans 6:13,14; 3:28-31; 1 John 2:3-6; James 2:10-17; Matt. 5:17-18.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 
Ephesians 2:8-10

 

Behold the Man

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“Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works-a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; (64) and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

The Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Chapter 3; From The Works of Josephus,
translated by William Whiston; Hendrickson Publishers, 1987.

Today we are going to watch The Gospel Of John and follow along in our Bibles!

Q & A:

  1. What did John say was in the beginning? (Greek 3056, 2316)
  2. What did John the Baptist say about Jesus?
  3. How many times did God in Heaven speak on or honor Christ?
  4. What did Christ do during the first Passover? (Psalm 69:9)
  5. How did Christ explain what it means to be born again, to Nicodemus?
  6. How many miracles are recorded in the Epistle of John?
  7. What woman did Christ reveal himself as the ‘water of life’?
  8. What did Christ say about himself and his relationship with Yahweh? (John 8:58)
  9. If the Pharisees believed Moses’ writings then why didn’t they believe Christ? (John 5:16-47)
  10. How did Christ reveal the connection between the manna in the Wilderness and scripture and Himself?
  11. How did Christ bear witness of himself?
  12. What are the works of Abraham? (John 8:39-40)
  13. What did Christ mean in John 10:34-38? (Psalm 82:6)
  14. What does Lazarus’ name mean? (Greek 2976)
  15. What is the significance of Lazarus’s death and resurrection, in connection to Christ’s death and resurresction?
  16. What happened when Jesus was interviewed by the Greeks?
  17. What is promised to those who believe in God?
  18. Who is the Comfortor? (John 16:5-8)
  19. Did the Priests break the Sabbath day?
  20. How were the disciples affected by the Christ’s death and ressurection?
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:lead: or, walk
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Psalm 8:20-23, 30.

Cave of the Patriarchs

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The Evidence #12
Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife. Genesis 25:8-10
The ancient city of Hebron, is one of the most amazing sites! Hebron contains the burial site of Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebecca as well as Jacob and Leah. According to Genesis 23, Abraham bought the land and cave of Machpelah for 400 shekels of silver, to bury Sarah who died at 127 years old. Hebron was also known as Kirjatharba, which comes from two words: ‘qiryah,’ (city of) and ‘area’ (Arba) (Anak the Giant). The land was in Canaan, which belonged to the children of Heth, the progenerator of the Hittites! The man who sold the land was Ephron of Zohar who must have been a prominent man, for he called Abraham ‘a prince of God.’
According to a new article in a newspaper in Israel, a Jewish man named Noam Arnon as well as a group of friends, came to the site during the month of Elul, discovering a secret chamber that leads to the crypt. This site has been off limits to everyone. They made a whole in the floor of the site to access the cave which had two chambers, where bones were found and clay tablets from the First Temple. The Cave of Macphelah is a significant landmark for Jews, Muslims and Christians, because it would be a possession for life, to the people of Israel! It is significant for the world because it houses the bones of the progenitor of the people of Israel and some bones may still hold DNA!
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2

Pharaohs of Egypt

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The Evidence #11

A prophecy against Egypt: “See, the Lord rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt with fear.” Isaiah 19:1

The Bible mentions that the people of ancient Egypt came from the descendants of Ham, one of Noah’s sons. Ham’s descendants settled in Africa, Arabia and the East. The Egyptians developed a pantheistic religion, turning away from God. The first mention of Egypt is in the Book of Genesis when Abraham leaves his area of the Promised Land to get food and supplies from Egypt. His wife Sarah was taken! Pharaoh is cursed but the couple eventually leave Egypt with more goods and servants then they had before!

Years later Joseph is sold into slavery to Egypt, where he eventually becomes the Governor of all Egypt and saves his people through God’s power! About two-hundred years later, the Exodus takes place, totally disrupting Egypt! The name of the Pharaoh is not mentioned in Exodus but some are saying that it wasn’t Ramses II but Tutmosis III! Israel are led out of Egypt by the presence of God in the Pillar of Fire and Cloud. God used the Exodus to show his power against evil. Egypt was one of the foremost nations to worship idols, the Book of the Dead and the elevation of the king to the level of  “god.” God’s plagues on Egypt demonstrated God’s rulership over a mere mortal!

The Bible records many clashes with Egypt:

Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. 1 Kings 11:40

Other Egyptian pharaohs mentioned in the Bible include:

So (= Osorkon IV), pharaoh, r. 730–715, 2 Kings 17:4.

Tirhakah (= Taharqa), pharaoh, r. 690–664, 2 Kings 19:9.

Necho II (= Neco II), pharaoh, r. 610–595, 2 Chronicles 35:20.

Hophra (= Apries = Wahibre), pharaoh, r. 589–570, Jeremiah 44:30.

After the Exodus came the reign of Akhenaten who changed the religion of Egypt from pantheistic to monotheistic!

God says:

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. Daniel 2:21-22

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Isaiah 46:9

 

 

 

Sargon King of Assyria

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The Evidence #10

King Sargon II was the son of another famous king, Tiglath-Pileser III who the Bible says is Pul,

And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. 2 Kings 15:19

Under Sargon II, around 711 BC, all of Northern Israel or Samaria was taken captive in a siege where the city of Ashdod was destroyed. Isaiah 20 gives the name of Sargon II as Tartan and gives a prophecy against ancient Egypt and Ethiopia:

In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;
At the same time spake the Lord by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
And the Lord said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;
So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.the Egyptians.
And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape? 
An inscription or tablet has been found that reads:

“In my first year I besieged and conquered Samaria . . . I lead away 27,290 prisoners . . . I ordered tribute to be made to me . . . Hanno king of Gaza and also Sib’e the tartan of Egypt set out to engage me in battle. I defeated them . . . I received tribute from (pharaoh) Piye of Egypt . . . Iamani of Ashdod fled to the frontier of Egypt which belongs to Ethiopia . . . Frightened of my power, the king of Ethiopia put chains on Iamani’s hands and feet and sent him to me. I conquered the towns of Samaria and all Israel.” ‘Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament.’ James Pritchard pg.284-285.

We know from history that Ancient Egypt fell to Greece under Alexander the Great and later came under the rule of Ptolemy, a general of Alexander. Egypt eventually came under Roman rule in 30 BC with the death of Cleopatra VII.

“For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.” Isaiah 43:3 (Genesis 10:6)

The ancient empire of Ethiopia was Aksum, which fell due to a decline of their economy. The city of Axum was significant because it was the first country in Africa aside from Egypt, to mint it’s own coins. It is believed that the Aksumite Empire from which Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, came to Jerusalem to visit King Solomon!
And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.
Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.
Thus saith the Lord; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord God.
And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted.
And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers shall be destroyed. Ezekiel 30:4-8
Here we see evidence given to back up the claims of the Bible in regards to battle of ancient kings and prophecies of ancient kingdoms. Today Egypt, a place I have traveled to, is one giant museum of ancient artifacts, statues, temples and tombs, it is no more. Ethiopia was established in the 8th century BC until it was taken over by the Aksumite Kingdom from 100 AD. Ethiopia later embraced Christianity with a large group of African Jews who today are Hebrew and keep the seventh-day Sabbath!

Damascus

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The Evidence #9

One of the Bibles most famous cities is the city of Damascus. This city is found mentioned in the geological records of Thutmosis III in the 15th century. Etymologist think the name comes from the Akkadian language. Damascus was settled by people as early as 6,300 BC.

The Bible mentions other kings out side of Israel in Assyria, Canaan, Egypt, Greece and Syria. In II Kings chapter 13, we are told that in the 23rd year of King Joash son of Ahaziah of Judah that Jehuahaz reigned in over the Northern Tribes. Jehuahaz worshiped idols instead of God, so God got became indignant and allowed the Northern Tribes to be invaded by the King of Syria, Ben–hadad the son of Hazel. Ben-hadad is mentioned in the Stele of Zakkur. Hadad was the name of the Syrian Sun god from which the name of Damascus is derived. God gave prophecies against Damascus and Syria because of their idolatry:

And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Ben–hadad. Jeremiah 49:27.

The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hosts. Isaiah 17:1-3

The prophecies of Isaiah, Amos and Jeremiah were both fulfilled in II Kings 16 during the reign of Ahaz and Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria.

“I took 800 people together with their property, their cattle (and) their sheep as spoil. I took 750 captives of the cities of Kurussa (and) Sama (as well as) 550 captives from the city of Metuna as spoil. I destroyed 591 cities from the 16 districts of Damascus like ruins from the Flood.”

(Annals of Tiglath-pileser) Brent A. Strawn, Sarah C. Melville, Kyle Greenwood, and Scott Noegelm “Neo-Assyrian and Syro-Palestinian Texts II,” Ancient Near East: Historical Sources in Translation (Blackwell Sourcebooks in Ancient History), ed. Mark W. Chavalas (Wiley-Blackwell, 2005), 333. – See more at: http://americanvision.org/9371/isaiah-17-damascus-bible-prophecy-has-been-fulfilled/#sthash.aGCjJs9N.XRDyo7UC.dpuf

This is more proof that the Bible is an inspired book with factual evidence of God’s hand in mankind’s history!

Jeremiah’s Scribe

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The Evidence #8

And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
And I charged Baruch before them, saying,
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land. Jeremiah 32:12
During the time of Nebuchadnezzar II’s reign and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem, lived another prominent prophet, Jeremiah. Before the siege, the King of Judah, Zedekiah, was warmed by God through Jeremiah not oppose the king of Babylon. But another man named Hananiah, declared himself a prophet too, and falsely instructed the king to resist the king of Babylon which inevitably caused Israel’s downfall! In regards to who was the real prophet of God, God made it known to the people that Hananiah was a false prophet, he died seven months later. Another false prophet named Shemiah the Nehelemite, rilled up the people to rebel against God’s word! In the tenth year of King Zedekiah, while Jeremiah was in prison, God told Jeremiah that his cousin was coming to see him in regards to redeeming a piece of property. Listening to God’s instruction, Jeremiah payed 17 shekels of silver for the property in Anathoth, in Benjamin. After the purchase was basically notarized, Jeremiah had his scribe Baruch, hide the deeds in a pot somewhere. God assured Jeremiah that he would keep his promise! Evidence of the existence of Baruch the son of Neriah, was found in 1975, inscribed on a clay bullae or seal in Jerusalem. The bulla is kept in the Israel Museum.
After the destruction of Jerusalem, there was a remnant of people left in Jerusalem who were instructed by God to build new homes, plant farms and vineyards.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Samuel 15:23
After some time, God gave another message to Jeremiah to share with the people, a prophecy that God will bring Israel back to the Promise Land from among the nations they were scattered to, Jeremiah 30. This was also a promise for the New Kingdom that God will create after the Apocalypse. God anoints a new High Priest, Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, as well as renewing the Covenant again!