THE FIRST FALSE CHURCH - By: Eligah Barrett on Google Plus

THE ORIGIN OF THE GREAT FALSE CHURCH
GOD'S NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OFFICIALLY BEGAN ON THE DAY of Pentecost, June 17, 31 A.D. 

REVELATION 2 CALLS THIS FIRST Era of the Church the Ephesus era. This era could not have had a better beginning. Christ personally laid its foundation. Luke is the unquestioned author of the book of Acts. He wrote it around A.D. 62, thirty one years after the true Church began. It was written to a man named Theophilus as a companion book to Luke's gospel account Acts1:1.

Bibles cho Lars agree that the book of Acts contains important early Church history. But a close study of this book reveals that it's history is quite selective. Luke's accouterments is best known as the Acts of the Apostles. However, the book is silent on the acts of at least 10 of the original Apostles. Does that mean these Apostles did not do an important work? Absolutely not! They did many mighty works. 

In this book, Luke records only those events that affected the early Church in a major way. His exclusion of certain events shows that God canonized only those events that were vital for God's Church of the future to know.

The Ephesus era began very small. Christ led His disciples for 3 1/2 years, and then the world killed Him. Verse 15 reveals that even after all of Christ's preaching and miracles, there were only 120 disciples!

MOST OF THE PERSECUTION AGAINST GOD'S PEOPLE CAME FROM FALSE RELIGION. If Christ physically headed a little group today, this world would kill Him again! The chief culprit would be false religion. 
On the day of Pentecost after Christ's death, the original disciples and new converts were given the Holy Spirit and inflamed with a, passion to proclaim Christ gospel. The newly spirit begotten Church had a significant impact on the people and society, beginning at Jerusalem. The Ephesus era began to grow. Three thousand members were added during the Pentecost season Acts 2:1, 41.

The fantastic events of Pentecost in A.D. 31 began to create a stir within the Jewish community and among Jewish leaders Acts 2. Then came a dramatic healing of a man just outside the temple gate called Beautiful Acts 3. This man was well known as having been lame from birth. Many had given him alms before entering the temple grounds. Not many days after Pentecost, Peter and John were entering the temple. When this man begged for money, they healed him instead. Peter and John were immediately summoned before the Jewish high council. They were threatened yet they were undaunted! 

The preaching of Christ's gospel gained momentum. The Church experienced rapid growth from 120 to about 5000 members by the time of Acts 4:4. This growth provoked serious persecution. Jewish leaders became incensed and fearful. The Apostles were thrown in prison Acts 5:18. An angel released them and told them to return to the temple and preach. When they obeyed, the Work grew even more. 

Jewish leaders wanted to stop this new, overzealous faction. Their persecution became far more intense and deadly. Men, women and even whole families were slaughtered.

Stephen, one of the original seven deacons, was a man of faith and zeal. God was able to work many miracles through him and his work was noticed. Stephen was arrested and brought before the Jewish council. At his trial, in his own defense, Stephen preached a convicting and condemning sermon Acts 7. His message of truth enraged the Jews. The high priest and council went mad.

Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stone Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep verses 57-60. These religious leaders stoned Stephen to death. HIS ONLY CRIME WAS PREACHING GOD'S TRUTH! Remember, these men represented a religion that talked much about love! May God protect us from such loving religious!