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What should we believe?: Difference between revisions
→What church should we go to?
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=What church should we go to?= | =What church should we go to?= | ||
In Paul's day, there were churches that were legalistic like the message (the Galatian church being an example) and liberal churches where people were getting drunk in church (see 1 Corinthians 11:21). But there were also good churches (Ephesus) and good leaders (like Timothy and Titus). | In Paul's day, there were churches that were legalistic like the message (the Galatian church being an example) and liberal churches where people were getting drunk in church (see 1 Corinthians 11:21). There were also lukewarm churches (Revelation 3:14-22) But there were also good churches (Ephesus) and good leaders (like Timothy and Titus). | ||
People in the message are used to following someone but the person we need to follow is the Holy Spirit. We are constantly being asked "If Bro. Branham wasn't the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5, then who is?" Our response is always to ensure we have a proper understanding [[The Fulfillment of Malachi 4:5|of Malachi 4:5]]. | People in the message are used to following someone but the person we need to follow is the Holy Spirit. We are constantly being asked "If Bro. Branham wasn't the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5, then who is?" Our response is always to ensure we have a proper understanding [[The Fulfillment of Malachi 4:5|of Malachi 4:5]]. | ||
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When the Holy Spirit is actively leading a church, there are five things the church is characterized by, and it comes directly from Jesus being real: | When the Holy Spirit is actively leading a church, there are five things the church is characterized by, and it comes directly from Jesus being real: | ||
1. The first is transcendent worship. People sense the presence of God. People are there to meet God. The purpose of worship is not primarily teaching or evangelism or fellowship; it’s to worship. | :1. The first is transcendent '''worship'''. People sense the presence of God. People are there to meet God. The purpose of worship is not primarily teaching or evangelism or fellowship; it’s to worship. | ||
2. Secondly, people | :2. Secondly, people are interested in and focused on a '''study of the Word of God.''' The truth shines in their lives because of this. | ||
3. Thirdly, people’s barriers come down to sharing openly with other people because Jesus is real to them, and you no longer have to hide from people, so intimate fellowship and dynamic community and deep friendships develop. | :3. Thirdly, people’s barriers come down to sharing openly with other people because Jesus is real to them, and you no longer have to hide from people, so '''intimate fellowship and dynamic community''' and deep friendships develop. | ||
4. Fourthly, there is aggressive outreach and evangelism, and many people are converted. People who have no interest in religion at all find themselves attracted to the church and converted. | :4. Fourthly, there is '''aggressive outreach and evangelism''', and many people are converted. People who have no interest in religion at all find themselves attracted to the church and are converted. | ||
5. Fifthly, there is a major impact on the society around, turning this society more like the kingdom of God, that is, a society of justice and mercy. | :5. Fifthly, there is a major '''impact on the society around''', turning this society more like the kingdom of God, that is, a society of justice and mercy. | ||
These five things: worship, deep teaching of the Word, intimate fellowship, aggressive evangelism, and compassionate social concern. When you find a church that’s strong on all of them, it’s a sign of the operation of the Spirit of God. | These five things: worship, deep teaching of the Word, intimate fellowship, aggressive evangelism, and compassionate social concern. When you find a church that’s strong on all of them, it’s a sign of the operation of the Spirit of God. | ||