Special Information for Wall Chapel
Thank you for checking our information. These are important upcoming dates for Wall Chapel.
Mission Rally Jan 23rd 2012 @ New Prospect.......
5th Sunday Services Jan 29th 2012.........................
Yoth Rally Feb 13th @ New Prospect .....................
Just a thought: Pray without ceasing!
Remember, JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER!
When did the "church" begin?
With so many things going on today, there is a burning question: WHEN DID THE CHURCH BEGIN? Every denomination believes differently. There is only one place to look for the origin of the church.
The name "church" must be defined. Simply, it is a group of local, baptized believers covenanted together for the purpose of carrying out the great commission. Note that there has to be relationship. First, as a believer; secondly, that believer must be scripturally baptized (a proper mode - much water to totally immerse a person in, a proper candidate - a believer in Jesus Christ, and a proper authority - a local and visible New Testament Church). There is no universal and invisible church body.
Some of the theologies presented include that it began on the day of Pentecost, that it began when Martin Luther tacked his 95 Theses on the door of the local Catholic church, and that it began on the seashores of Galilee when Jesus called His apostles from the followers of John the Baptist. I am a subscriber to the last. Personally, I know that the church was already assembled BEFORE the day of Pentecost because they were told to assemble. Martin Luther started the "Protestant Reformation" with his 95 theses but not the church. Who is right and who is wrong?
Examine church history to find the answer. I have been told that all churches came out of the mother Catholic church and that Peter was the first "pope" of the Lord's church. I can only use scripture to explain. Jesus said to Peter, "Thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church. " "Peter" is the word "petros" which means a piece of rock. The rock in "upon this rock" is the word "petra" indicating the MASSIVE rock. That foundation can only be Jesus Christ, the living Son of the Living God!
Finally, think of the church as a local body. Nobody has any authority over the local church EXCEPT that local church. The only officers mentioned in the Bible are those of pastors (elders, bishops) and deacons. Truth is, since the days of the early church, we still have to abide by God's Holy Word - The Bible! The church at Corinth exercised no authority over the church at Ephesus or vice versa. There was never a "central government" for the church. We are an American Baptist Association church, voluntarily "associating" and meeting with those who believe as we do. When we finish with our annual association meetings, reports are made and each church decides what they are going to do in their own area. The President of our association has no authority over any church. He pastors one local church if he pastors at all (there has been a time in the past where some preachers have pastored several churches at a time, sometimes called half-time or quarter-time churches, but that is basically a thing of the past). Each church selects their own pastor, often hearing a number of men preach before the Lord leads them to call a man as pastor. Furthermore, we are Landmark in nature by not removing the ancient landmarks of God's Word.
Please feel free to contact me if you disagree with me.
