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Some Extraordinary Changes are Taking Place!

Recently I received a letter from a young Christian in Africa that described a church that has excluded the Bible as a source of guidance. This church depends on members of the church, who have been designated as apostles and prophets, to provide the spiritual guidance needed by the congregation.

Members of the congregation are encouraged to look to them, rather than the Bible for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

While I see this as an exceedingly dangerous path; it is not the only dangerous path being followed by churches today. In the United States, churches and church organizations are moving, both socially and morally, in a variety of strange directions that are serious deviations from the biblical standard.

By way of an example, Patrick D Hampton, a Christian writer and family man has recently expressed his grave concern over a summer camp, sponsored by a church in his community, where the LGBTQ agenda was being promoted to the children in attendance including two of his little children.

This is just one of the many reports of apostasy in churches appearing in the media; sadly, this apostasy is spreading to the organized church all over the United States!

 The Nature of the Church

You may recall that I subscribe to a devotional letter written by Pastor, Jeff Wells, and distributed by WoodsEdge Community Church. It was so timely that I wanted to share it with my readers; I have attached it below:

“July 20

 The Nature of the Church

 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 2:42

There is no better summary of the church than Acts 2:42-47.  Acts 2 begins with the creation of the church and ends with the character of the church.

Acts 2:42-47 is God’s portrait of the church.  This is what God wants every church to look like, not so much in details but in values and focus.

 The passage begins in verse 42 with the essential characteristics:  teaching, community, worship, prayer.  The church in Jerusalem was devoted to these four things.

 First, they were devoted to biblical teaching.  It is impossible to be a healthy, God-pleasing church with any other foundation than biblical teaching.  If you are looking for a church, find a church where the pastor and the leaders believe the Bible is God’s Word not man’s word.  Find a church that preaches biblically-rooted messages, not motivational speeches with a few Bible verses.  Find a church that is focused not on knowing the Bible but on obeying the Bible.

 Second, the Jerusalem church was devoted to fellowship, or community.  They shared their lives, their hearts, their struggles, their joys.  They loved together, they served together, they suffered together.  They did life together, not as lone rangers.  They met in the large group celebration at the temple and they met in small group community in homes.  Find a church that deeply believes in authentic community.

 Third, they were devoted to the breaking of bread, or worship.  Breaking bread refers here to communion, which in many ways is the high point of worship, when we joyfully celebrate Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.  From Acts 2:42-47, one gets the strong impression that the early believers, having fallen in love with Jesus, were now caught up with love, wonder and praise.  Find a church that is full of worshippers of God and not just workers for God.  Find lovers of Jesus!

Finally, the early church was devoted to prayer.  This was the power source.  This was the engine that drove everything else.  All through the book of Acts you see it:  The early church was devoted to prayer.  No wonder God showed up and did remarkable things.  Find a church that is devoted to prayer because they are desperate for God.

 This is what God wants every church to look like.  This is what God wants your church to look like.

© 2021 WoodsEdge Community Church. All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced for any non-commercial use.”

Dangerous Repercussions

Today, too many churches seem to have lost a biblical focus; it seems as if the church has chosen to adopt the ways of the world as a pattern for church services. Darkened rooms, smoke machines, flashing lights, performance music with spotlights on the singers all seems so alien to me.

The Bible warned us of the final church age, Laodicea; in Revelation 3:14-22 where it is written:

¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷ Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. ²¹ To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

²² “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

It seems as if the advice, offered by Jeff Wells, is very timely indeed!