The Authentic Gospel of Jesus

[House Churches]

Hello, all! After many decades of prayer, scripture study, and spiritual searching, it became clear to me that nearly all churches today do not adhere to one or more of Jesus' original teachings and act and look nothing like 1st century, New Testament churches. It is odd, in my opinion, to call oneself Christian yet not imitate as closely as possible the beliefs and worship style of the earliest followers of Jesus. One of the primary ways the modern church gets it so wrong is by worshiping in non-home buildings (often expensive and massive) rather than in local house churches. It is obvious that, after the destruction of the temple in AD 70, early Christian met and worshiped in homes. This is the way it should be, and it's why I have started an international network of house churches. Doesn't this simply make sense on a clear reading of the New Testament scriptures?

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

Worshipping God is not about being at a certain location, nor observing certain days of the week; it is about worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth.

John 4:19-24

King James Version

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19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

 

[House Churches]

Worshipping God is not about being at a certain location, nor observing certain days of the week; it is about worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth.

John 4:19-24​

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King James Version​

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19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Jesus is obviously teaching here against the arrogant division between Jew and Samaritan. Worshiping God is, at least in part, about the right use of resources (Acts 2), and expensive buildings and upkeep most certainly are not the right use of resources.

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

Worshiping God is, at least in part, about the right use of resources (Acts 2), and expensive buildings and upkeep most certainly are not the right use of resources.

The early Christians gathered money for the “poor saints”; not to enrich a preacher or to build mega churches.

Romans 15:25-27​

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King James Version​

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25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.”

 

[House Churches]

The early Christians gathered money for the “poor saints”; not to enrich a preacher or to build mega churches.

Romans 15:25-27​

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King James Version​

​

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25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.”

Agreed.

 

[Waggles]

Hello, all! After many decades of prayer, scripture study, and spiritual searching, it became clear to me that nearly all churches today do not adhere to one or more of Jesus' original teachings and act and look nothing like 1st century, New Testament churches. It is odd, in my opinion, to call oneself Christian yet not imitate as closely as possible the beliefs and worship style of the earliest followers of Jesus. One of the primary ways the modern church gets it so wrong is by worshiping in non-home buildings (often expensive and massive) rather than in local house churches. It is obvious that, after the destruction of the temple in AD 70, early Christian met and worshiped in homes. This is the way it should be, and it's why I have started an international network of house churches. Doesn't this simply make sense on a clear reading of the New Testament scriptures?

You make a good point here, BUT it is not just about where a church should meet for worship but also what a church should believe in and practice as doctrine
So if you want to emulate the first century NT church (a worthy goal) then you would also uphold the following -

Mark 16:15 And he said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
16 Who hath believed and is baptized shall be saved; but who hath disbelieved shall be condemned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that have believed: in my name shall they cast out demons, speak with tongues;
18 and in their hands they shall take up serpents, and if they drink aught deadly, it shall in now wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And THEY went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed.

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all that heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, who came with Peter, because that on the nations also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can anyone forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?

1Cor 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all the things in all.
7 But to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit.
8 For to one is given through the Spirit a word of wisdom; and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit:
9 to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit;
10 and to another workings of powers; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues;
11 but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each severally even as he willeth.

1Cor 14:26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be unto edifying.
27 If any speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret:
28 but if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 And let prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.

 

[God's Truth]

Hello, all! After many decades of prayer, scripture study, and spiritual searching, it became clear to me that nearly all churches today do not adhere to one or more of Jesus' original teachings and act and look nothing like 1st century, New Testament churches. It is odd, in my opinion, to call oneself Christian yet not imitate as closely as possible the beliefs and worship style of the earliest followers of Jesus. One of the primary ways the modern church gets it so wrong is by worshiping in non-home buildings (often expensive and massive) rather than in local house churches. It is obvious that, after the destruction of the temple in AD 70, early Christian met and worshiped in homes. This is the way it should be, and it's why I have started an international network of house churches. Doesn't this simply make sense on a clear reading of the New Testament scriptures?

There are no more churches as there were in the New Testament times.

We have the finished words of God in the Bible.

The people used to have to gather in the homes of the saved so that they could hear a prophecy, or read a letter that they received from an apostle, or gather for an apostle to come in person and teach.

We can read the Bible for ourselves and do what Jesus says to do for Jesus to save us and be our Teacher.

 

[House Churches]

You make a good point here, BUT it is not just about where a church should meet for worship but also what a church should believe in and practice as doctrine
So if you want to emulate the first century NT church (a worthy goal) then you would also uphold the following -

Mark 16:15 And he said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
16 Who hath believed and is baptized shall be saved; but who hath disbelieved shall be condemned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that have believed: in my name shall they cast out demons, speak with tongues;
18 and in their hands they shall take up serpents, and if they drink aught deadly, it shall in now wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And THEY went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed.

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all that heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, who came with Peter, because that on the nations also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can anyone forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?

1Cor 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all the things in all.
7 But to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit.
8 For to one is given through the Spirit a word of wisdom; and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit:
9 to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit;
10 and to another workings of powers; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues;
11 but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each severally even as he willeth.

1Cor 14:26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be unto edifying.
27 If any speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret:
28 but if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 And let prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.

I completely agree, and the International Fellowship teaches that the gifts of the Spirit are still valid and operative. Mark 16 has been somewhat misinterpreted by some groups, particularly in Appalachia, in terms of handling serpents. The original meaning of that passage is that if poisonous snakes bite a believer (a sometimes occurrence in the Middle East and elsewhere) or if a believer ingests poison for some reason, they will not become sick in proportion to their faith. The overall point of all these passages - and, as I said, they are still valid today - is that there is great, miraculous power in the operation of the Holy Spirit, and believers have access to that power through faith.

 

[House Churches]

There are no more churches as there were in the New Testament times.

We have the finished words of God in the Bible.

The people used to have to gather in the homes of the saved so that they could hear a prophecy, or read a letter that they received from an apostle, or gather for an apostle to come in person and teach.

We can read the Bible for ourselves and do what Jesus says to do for Jesus to save us and be our Teacher.

This is simply not true, or at least not necessarily true. I believe we are called to emulate the New Testament methods and means of worship. Sure, one can read the Bible for themselves. This does not mean believers should not meet for worship in believers' homes, though. And while we can read the Bible for ourselves, it is a dangerous thing to read the Bible without any kind of authority (i.e. doctrine, leadership, etc) whatsoever. This is why the sad state of tens of thousands of different denominations exist. So-called Christians have become carried away with individualist readings and interpretations of scripture and eschew biblical and pastoral authority.

 

[God's Truth]

This is simply not true, or at least not necessarily true.

What part isn't true?

I believe we are called to emulate the New Testament methods and means of worship.

I have yet to find a denomination that didn't preach some falseness and want money for a big building.

Sure, one can read the Bible for themselves. This does not mean believers should not meet for worship in believers' homes, though.

Okay, so you want to have friends meet at your house to talk about God and worship time. Not everyone has that though.

And while we can read the Bible for ourselves, it is a dangerous thing to read the Bible without any kind of authority (i.e. doctrine, leadership, etc) whatsoever.

lol It is not dangerous if Jesus is your Teacher. Jesus tells us how to be saved and have him for a Teacher.

This is why the sad state of tens of thousands of different denominations exist. So-called Christians have become carried away with individualist readings and interpretations of scripture and eschew biblical and pastoral authority.

This is why, you say, tell why. It is because they don't do what Jesus says.

You are already saying things that aren't true. Let's hear what you have to say about how to get saved and stay saved.

 

[House Churches]

What part isn't true?

I have yet to find a denomination that didn't preach some falseness and want money for a big building.

Okay, so you want to have friends meet at your house to talk about God and worship time. Not everyone has that though.

lol It is not dangerous if Jesus is your Teacher. Jesus tells us how to be saved and have him for a Teacher.

This is why, you say, tell why. It is because they don't do what Jesus says.

You are already saying things that aren't true. Let's hear what you have to say about how to get saved and stay saved.

What part is not true? That there are not more churches as there were in the NT.

How to get saved? Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, and live a holy life.

 

[God's Truth]

What part is not true? That there are not more churches as there were in the NT.

How to get saved? Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, and live a holy life.

You aren't explaining enough. We have to do more than accept Jesus, for Jesus has to accept us too.

 

[God's Truth]

And while we can read the Bible for ourselves, it is a dangerous thing to read the Bible without any kind of authority (i.e. doctrine, leadership, etc) whatsoever.

This thing you say about dangerous, I must say something about this, because what can be dangerous is a pastor teaching others that they should go to other countries to preach the gospel...to sell all they have and become someone who preaches in dangerous countries!

 

[Admon Mikha'el]

This is simply not true, or at least not necessarily true. I believe we are called to emulate the New Testament methods and means of worship. Sure, one can read the Bible for themselves. This does not mean believers should not meet for worship in believers' homes, though. And while we can read the Bible for ourselves, it is a dangerous thing to read the Bible without any kind of authority (i.e. doctrine, leadership, etc) whatsoever. This is why the sad state of tens of thousands of different denominations exist. So-called Christians have become carried away with individualist readings and interpretations of scripture and eschew biblical and pastoral authority.

You think it's dangerous to read Gods Word?! Jesus passed on to YOU all the authority that the Father had given to HIM, and you think you need a higher authority? Nonsense!! You have the Holy Spirit living right inside you. The author of the Word lives in you to teach you, to counsel you, to comfort you if you would only listen to Him, but you would rather listen to a fallible man instead? That's astounding! Is that why you criticize other assemblies for the way they worship?

 

[Admon Mikha'el]

What part is not true? That there are not more churches as there were in the NT.

How to get saved? Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, and live a holy life.

That is not in the bible...The bible says that Romans 10:9 9 that if you acknowledge publicly with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and trust in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be delivered (saved). All this stuff about asking Him into your heart is not wrong, but is basically ritual. Its faith in Him that gets you saved...consider the mute man....he cannot ask Jesus into his heart because he cannot speak....Or the injured man facing his last moments, unconsious. You speak of authentic worship and yet you seem to have several funny unauthentic ways too.....

 

[God's Truth]

That is not in the bible...The bible says that Romans 10:9 9 that if you acknowledge publicly with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and trust in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be delivered (saved).

The scripture does not say that.
The scripture doesn't say to get saved you have to go before some people and say publicly "Jesus is Lord".

The scripture says you have to confess/repent of your sins and believe.

If you say to Jesus, "Jesus, you are my Lord", then you had better be obeying him.


Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?


See here what Jesus says about those who say to him 'Lord'...

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

 

[Admon Mikha'el]

The scripture does not say that.
The scripture doesn't say to get saved you have to go before some people and say publicly "Jesus is Lord".

The scripture says you have to confess/repent of your sins and believe.

If you say to Jesus, "Jesus, you are my Lord", then you had better be obeying him.


Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?


See here what Jesus says about those who say to him 'Lord'...

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

 

[Admon Mikha'el]

That's interesting.....I cut and pasted from the bible and you say the bible does not say that....

 

[God's Truth]

That's interesting.....I cut and pasted from the bible and you say the bible does not say that....

You did a lot more than quote the Bible.

 

[Waggles]

What the scriptures state for salvation is -
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, [Men] Brethren, what shall we do?
38 And Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.
40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this crooked generation.

Act 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper regions came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples:
2 and he said unto them, Whether ye received the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether there is a Holy Spirit.
3 And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into the baptism of John.
4 And Paul said, John baptized a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe unto him that should come after him, that is, unto Jesus.
5 And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And they were in all about twelve men.