When it comes to religion, we tend to think that the Catholics were the first Christians and that Henry VIII of England started his own version so that he could legally divorce his barren wife. If you're a Christian and you are not a Catholic, then you are some branch of protestant, be it Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Nazarene, Episcopalian, et cetera. What may surprise most people is that the fundamental Christian church, and not Rome, was actually the first to follow the teachings of Jesus.
Catholicism got its start in the second century AD; whereas, the Christian fundamentalists "officially" got started about six weeks after Jesus ascended into heaven. Its origins are documented in the Book of Acts, which was written by Luke, who was one of the original 12 disciples, in approximately 80 AD. At the time, it included the disciples, Mary (Jesus' mother), his brothers and approximately 124 other believers.
According to the Book of Acts, it is possible to define the exact moment the Christian church was formed. On the first Feast of Pentecost after Christ ascended into heaven, the 12 apostles and around 124 other followers, including Jesus' mother and brothers, gathered in one place. Without warning, a strong wind came and filled the entire building. Above every head were tongues of fire. Everyone there was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking with other tongues, meaning in other languages.
This is referred to as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and it is replicated in everyone who is baptized as a follower of Christ. The act of baptism serves as public confirmation that an individual is born again after renouncing sin and the devil, declaring that they believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died for our sins.
The acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit is what separates fundamentalists from other Christians. Some people go their entire lives thinking that the Holy Ghost referred to Jesus after the Resurrection and that he left the planet when he ascended into heaven.
In John 14:15-18, Jesus tells us that he will ask his Father to send down a helper to live with us until the end of time. If you have been baptized, did you ever feel overwhelmingly sad when you were in a church? That was the Holy Spirit letting you know that you are a sinner and that you need to get yourself straight with God and get baptized. Your first time back there after being baptized, that sad feeling was replaced with a feeling of elation.
When you are praising your Maker in church, singing, dancing and waving your arms about like a football fan or like you're at a rock concert, that buzz of electricity that fills the room is the Holy Spirit. When your pastor touches you on the shoulder when you're immersed in prayer and the power is so strong that you fall over, that, too, is the Holy Spirit.
We are not alone. God did send the helper that Jesus promised. When two or more people gather in the name of the Lord, he is there.
Catholicism got its start in the second century AD; whereas, the Christian fundamentalists "officially" got started about six weeks after Jesus ascended into heaven. Its origins are documented in the Book of Acts, which was written by Luke, who was one of the original 12 disciples, in approximately 80 AD. At the time, it included the disciples, Mary (Jesus' mother), his brothers and approximately 124 other believers.
According to the Book of Acts, it is possible to define the exact moment the Christian church was formed. On the first Feast of Pentecost after Christ ascended into heaven, the 12 apostles and around 124 other followers, including Jesus' mother and brothers, gathered in one place. Without warning, a strong wind came and filled the entire building. Above every head were tongues of fire. Everyone there was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking with other tongues, meaning in other languages.
This is referred to as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and it is replicated in everyone who is baptized as a follower of Christ. The act of baptism serves as public confirmation that an individual is born again after renouncing sin and the devil, declaring that they believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died for our sins.
The acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit is what separates fundamentalists from other Christians. Some people go their entire lives thinking that the Holy Ghost referred to Jesus after the Resurrection and that he left the planet when he ascended into heaven.
In John 14:15-18, Jesus tells us that he will ask his Father to send down a helper to live with us until the end of time. If you have been baptized, did you ever feel overwhelmingly sad when you were in a church? That was the Holy Spirit letting you know that you are a sinner and that you need to get yourself straight with God and get baptized. Your first time back there after being baptized, that sad feeling was replaced with a feeling of elation.
When you are praising your Maker in church, singing, dancing and waving your arms about like a football fan or like you're at a rock concert, that buzz of electricity that fills the room is the Holy Spirit. When your pastor touches you on the shoulder when you're immersed in prayer and the power is so strong that you fall over, that, too, is the Holy Spirit.
We are not alone. God did send the helper that Jesus promised. When two or more people gather in the name of the Lord, he is there.
About the Author:
You can find a brief summary of the benefits you get when you attend a fundamental Christian church at http://richeyville.org right now.
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