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“For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth” (Isaiah 62:1).

The study this quarter is on the subject of ‘The Church’. My heart’s desire is that every honest person would get a vision of the beauty of God’s true church. The majority of religious institutions and fellowships have watered down the truth so much that people need not “take up their cross daily” as the Lord taught. Serving the Lord is a narrow, holy way but it is a good way. It is the way that leads to power and victory. Allowing the reality of God’s church to be in our life and fellowship brings freedom and liberty to worship in “spirit and in truth.”Read more

Scripture Reading:

…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47

Summary:

The church is a divine institution founded by Christ, led by the Spirit, and the Word of God is the rule of faith. The Biblical church —The Church of God, is composed of all believers who are saved from their sins.

Definition:

The word ‘church’ comes from the Greek word ‘ekklesia’ which means ‘congregation‘ or ‘called out.’Read more

The Church Is a Divine Institution of God

The practical truths on the subject of the church illuminate God’s will and purpose for us in this life and reveal much of the fallacy of religious institutions in society. The world has been inundated with religions and churches of all different standards and belief systems. While many people today espouse the theory to “attend the church of your choice,” the Bible teaches that there is only one narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

Definition of ‘Church’

The first mention of the word church in the Bible is found in Matthew 16:18. “…Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The word church is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia which means ‘called out.’ The scripture uses the word church again in Acts 2:47. “…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” The church is not a building or a place of worship but is composed of individuals who have been saved from their sin. True people of God have been ‘called out’ of sin, the world, religions, etc. They are in fellowship with God and in unity with the Spirit, walking in the faith of the Word of God.Read more

The church that I attend does not teach all of the truth found in the Bible. What should I do?

This is a serious and weighty question that deserves a very careful answer as many people find themselves in the given situation. It is important to first recognize that the Church of God is a divine church. Everyone that is saved from their sin through Jesus Christ is part of that true church (Acts 2:47).

Attending services at a congregation of any denomination or by any name does not bring someone into the divine institution of the church. People, anywhere in the world, that repent of their sins gain entrance into the church. They may identify themselves with a ‘group’ but that isn’t what God is recognizing. That person is in the Church of God whether they know it or not, as God recognizes the condition of their heart and life.Read more

• Peter’s name was Simon, son of Jona. Jesus renamed him Cephas (Peter), which means rock.
• He was born in Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee and was a fisherman by trade.
• Peter was one of the original twelve disciples and was married.
• Andrew, his brother, was first a follower of John the Baptist and then became the first apostle of Jesus.
• He died in 64 AD in Rome under Emperor Nero. He was crucified upside down because he didn’t consider himself worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.

Exodus 17:15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi.

As long as Moses held up his hands, the children of Israel prevailed against the Amalekites in battle. Aaron and Hur stood beside Moses holding his hands in the air when he was weary. God granted them victory over their enemy. In commemoration, Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah-Nissi which means “The Lord my banner.”Read more

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ….We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed…” (2 Peter 1:16, 19).

The faith and life of a Christian stand not in fables and fairy tales but in the precise fulfillment of approximately 2000 prophecies that span hundreds of years. The prophets of old accurately foretold of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Coincidence is ruled out by the science of probability. Things prophesied in the Bible happened just as predicted. Unique among all books ever written, the Bible is true, credible, powerful, and it works.Read more

“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11).

For a number of months I have been deeply moved in my spirit that our time here on earth is quickly coming to an end. I do not believe that the Lord will delay His coming much longer. The message of the coming of the Lord stirs within me.

I am reminded of the prophet, Jesus ben Ananias, who walked the streets of Jerusalem crying out of the impending doom of the city before God destroyed it. “Woe, woe to Jerusalem.” The people called him crazy and tried to silence him. The city seemed at peace and was experiencing prosperity, but he repeated the cry. “Woe, woe – A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem.…” He prophesied for seven years and five months. The prophecy was fulfilled and catastrophe came to Jerusalem. Read more

Scripture Reading:

James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Summary:

Jesus Christ will return a second time to this earth where there will be a universal resurrection of the dead and all people will be ushered to the judgment seat of God. This earth will be destroyed and the righteous will live forever in heaven and the unrighteous in hell.Read more

The Scripture Is Our Guide

The second coming of Christ and subsequent events are of vital significance. There are many scriptures and prophecies concerning the end of time. “Theory and speculation amount to nothing with respect to future things” (D.S Warner). It is important that the scripture be the guide rather than intellectual and philosophical pursuits in understanding this subject. The scripture points forward to a time that Jesus will return. There will be a universal resurrection of the dead, a general judgment of all people, eternal rewards and punishments dispensed, and this earth will be destroyed. Read more