Feb
7
Written by:
Bob Flynn
2/7/2010 10:46 AM
Christianity exists not merely as a power or principle in this world, but also in an institutional and organized form which is intended to preserve and protect (not to obstruct) it. Christ established a visible church with apostles, as authorized teachers and rulers, and with two sacred rites, baptism and the holy communion, to be observed to the end of the world. (Schaff, P., & Schaff, D. S. (1997). History of the Christian church.)
Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build My church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Matthew 16:18 NLT)
"I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. (Matthew 18:18 NLT)
Jesus came and told His disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT)
And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. (Mark 16:20 NLT)
He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is My body, which is given for you. Do this to remember Me." (Luke 22:19 NLT)
Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you." Then He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:21-23 NLT)
Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. (Ephesians 2:20 NLT)
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT)
A great many things may be said about the state of the Christian church today. However, not many of them are comely. According to the demographics, 76% of the American population identifies themselves as Christian. This is why we have a 14 trillion dollar national debt and openly practicing sinners are appointed to lead the church.
The great Christian historian, Philip Schaff, described the church as "institutional and organized." But in America impotency reigns. Why? Because "I" is the center of the American Christian Universe. It would be much better served if it were a "We." But it is not even that cohesive. If, per chance, you see a functioning local church, the function ceases as soon as you leave the confines if the local influence. Is this the way to wage a war of eternal significance? We seem to be better suited in organizing into armies for the purpose of taking human life. Why is it that we do not choose to organize for the purpose of saving life eternally? Because we are deceived by the God of this world into thinking we are saved when we are not! We wish to "affiliate" with those institutional beliefs that will ensure that we are saved from an eternity in hell. However, it Jesus came to "save His people from their sins"! Perhaps when we discover the real Christ, He won't have to stand at the door and knock! (Revelation 3:20). Meanwhile, we can delude ourselves into thinking that what 76%1 of us are doing is genuine ministry in response to the "Great Commission." We will, no doubt, be busy right up to the day when Jesus says, "I never knew you." Below you'll find a couple of quotes from the man whom God used to preach a "great awakening" in our land. Sadly he wrote these words as a warning against the counterfeit as he watched this fire go out as a result. You may heartily disagree with Edwards! But when did the Lord Jesus Christ use you to save a nation? Perhaps if we repent, Christ in mercy will yet save us again? It is probably a "2% solution"!2
It is a difficult thing to be a hearty zealous friend of what has been good and glorious in the late extraordinary appearances, and to rejoice much in it; and, at the same time, to see the evil and pernicious tendency of what has been bad, and earnestly to oppose that. Yet, I am humbly but fully persuaded, we shall never be in the way of truth, a way acceptable to God, and tending to the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, till we do so.…
There is indeed something very mysterious in it, that so much good, and so much bad, should be mixed together in the church of God : as it is a mysterious thing, and what has puzzled and amazed many a good Christian, that there should be that which is so divine and precious, as the saving grace of God, dwelling in the same heart, with so much corruption, hypocrisy, and iniquity, in a particular saint. Yet neither of these is more mysterious than real. And neither of them is a new thing. It is no new thing, that much false religion should prevail, at a time of great revival; and that, at such a time, multitudes of hypocrites should spring up among true saints.…
It is by the mixture of counterfeit religion with true, not discerned and distinguished, that the devil has had his greatest advantage against the cause and kingdom of Christ. (Edwards, J. The Works of Jonathan Edwards - Volume 1 (234).)
- U.S. Demographics for Religion
- The 2% Solution
Copyright ©2010 Robert Flynn