Facts about the True Church
Someone might quickly imagine that when I say "True Church," I'm speaking about some cult group somewhere. I'm not. The True Church are those true members of Christ's body born of His Spirit. We are scattered all over the world, both inside and outside the organized churches. Hopefully, you have been born again by God's Spirit by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. If so, you are a part of the True Church.
To point out that there is a True Church within the Organized Church (implying that there are some within the Organized Church that are not truly born again) is nothing new. Even our Lord told us that it would be so, as illustrated in five of the seven parables of the Kingdom that He taught about in Matthew chapter 13. The subsequent letters to the early churches made it abundantly clear as well, and Paul speaks directly to it in I Corinthians chapter 3. In I John 2, John wrote that there were some among them who were not of them.
The mix of the True and the false has continued to be a reality throughout the entire Church Age - and more so now than ever. The Church has grown so large, with branches touching nearly every corner of the earth, but with more disjointedness and heresy than ever before.
Members of the True Church are not a perfect people, yet there is a clear distinction between the true and the false.
To point out that there is a True Church within the Organized Church (implying that there are some within the Organized Church that are not truly born again) is nothing new. Even our Lord told us that it would be so, as illustrated in five of the seven parables of the Kingdom that He taught about in Matthew chapter 13. The subsequent letters to the early churches made it abundantly clear as well, and Paul speaks directly to it in I Corinthians chapter 3. In I John 2, John wrote that there were some among them who were not of them.
The mix of the True and the false has continued to be a reality throughout the entire Church Age - and more so now than ever. The Church has grown so large, with branches touching nearly every corner of the earth, but with more disjointedness and heresy than ever before.
Members of the True Church are not a perfect people, yet there is a clear distinction between the true and the false.
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God is in the Midst of His People
In the same way that He has always worked in our midst, God is working inside and outside the organized church today; but He is about to test us in a way we've never seen in this country. It is our hope that this page, including these video clips about the local church as it should be, will help you prepare.
To Grieve and Even Quench the Holy Spirit is Common in Evangelical Churches Today
CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN-DAY PENTECOSTALS AND CHARISMATICS
One outstanding characteristic of modern-day Pentecostals and Charismatics is arrogance. Another is gullibility to the point of foolishness. They grieve and quench the very Holy Spirit with whom they claim to be filled and anointed. Arrogance plus foolish gullibility makes for great deception. One can find himself completely confused after attending just one of their services, let alone many. The atmosphere in these churches is almost hypnotic, making it hard to escape.
One outstanding characteristic of modern-day Pentecostals and Charismatics is arrogance. Another is gullibility to the point of foolishness. They grieve and quench the very Holy Spirit with whom they claim to be filled and anointed. Arrogance plus foolish gullibility makes for great deception. One can find himself completely confused after attending just one of their services, let alone many. The atmosphere in these churches is almost hypnotic, making it hard to escape.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MODERN REFORMED MOVEMENT
Modern Reformers are oppressors of the Holy Spirit, grieving and even quenching Him at every turn. Much like the Pharisees of Jesus' day, they pride themselves highly in their scholarly jot-n-tittle evaluations and exegeses of the scriptures. Many only preach/teach points of Reformed Theology over, and over, and over again. It's almost nauseating to be in one of their services if you're not one of them. They have very little concept of the life of God by His Spirit because they have discounted His present-day work to such a degree that He will not work as He would.
Modern Reformers are oppressors of the Holy Spirit, grieving and even quenching Him at every turn. Much like the Pharisees of Jesus' day, they pride themselves highly in their scholarly jot-n-tittle evaluations and exegeses of the scriptures. Many only preach/teach points of Reformed Theology over, and over, and over again. It's almost nauseating to be in one of their services if you're not one of them. They have very little concept of the life of God by His Spirit because they have discounted His present-day work to such a degree that He will not work as He would.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PERSONALITY-DRIVEN CHURCH MOVEMENTS
Personality-driven churches are in almost every case seeker-friendly, giving their crowds what they want as long as it's within the framework of current Americanized Christianity trends - be it the Easter bunny, Santa Claus, or football. They give lots of attention to stage entertainment, especially having to do with what they call worship.
Depending on the personality pastor's own agenda, his talk may be all about political and/or cultural news based on the latest news cycle. To them, it is part of the Churches God-given responsibility to make and maintain a morally true society.
Unlike the aforementioned personality pastor, other's stay far away from the realities of everyday life. Any news that they perceive to be negative deflates their agenda, which is to keep everyone's head filled with helium. They only feed carefully crafted self-motivational talks, mesmerizing their multitudes with exhilarating stories of personal success; and all in the name of Jesus.
Personality-driven churches are generally the guardians of Christianity American style. Most of the time there's just enough truth given to keep the real God-seeker coming back to their spiritual kindergarten experience.
Personality-driven churches are in almost every case seeker-friendly, giving their crowds what they want as long as it's within the framework of current Americanized Christianity trends - be it the Easter bunny, Santa Claus, or football. They give lots of attention to stage entertainment, especially having to do with what they call worship.
Depending on the personality pastor's own agenda, his talk may be all about political and/or cultural news based on the latest news cycle. To them, it is part of the Churches God-given responsibility to make and maintain a morally true society.
Unlike the aforementioned personality pastor, other's stay far away from the realities of everyday life. Any news that they perceive to be negative deflates their agenda, which is to keep everyone's head filled with helium. They only feed carefully crafted self-motivational talks, mesmerizing their multitudes with exhilarating stories of personal success; and all in the name of Jesus.
Personality-driven churches are generally the guardians of Christianity American style. Most of the time there's just enough truth given to keep the real God-seeker coming back to their spiritual kindergarten experience.
IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A LOCAL CHURCH TODAY WHERE ONE CAN BECOME A PART WITH FULL FAITH AND CONFIDENCE. MOST OF IT IS NOISE, SOME LOUDER THAN OTHERS, BUT MOST IS RELIGIOUS NOISE.