Normal?

The difference between 1st and 21st Century Churches

There is now, and has been for a very long time, a considerable gap between the teaching of the reality of normal Christianity today and two millennia ago!

It all changed about 320 AD!

It is my belief that The Church — that’s us too, by the way — has omitted more and more of the ‘inconvenient’, or non-pc [politically correct], or quite frankly, embarrassing things.

It’s got to the stage when The Holy Spirit is hardly mentioned any more — other than by rote — and His Baptism and Gifts are virtually no longer taught at all!

He has slowly been omitted from the majority of Churches liturgy — and that includes many, many so-called Pentecostal Churches in the various Pentecostal denominations.

It begs the question: What remains of Biblical Christianity in the 21st Century when compared to the original 1st Century?

By revelation, I believe that feel-good Services, the watered down Gospel, the “Come to Jesus, say this prayer, and you’re saved’” almost “New Age Christianity” has replaced much of what is necessary for real Salvation!

I feel The LORD is fairly fed up, if not downright angry, with many Churches for their omission of Repentance — proper Godly Repentance — and turning away from our old sin!

Tears are almost unknown!

In some places there’s emphasis on Worship — but it’s become entertainment.

In some places there’s emphasis on preaching The Word — but it’s over the heads of most in the congregation.

Many places include healing — but eschew, literally, they’re scared of, deliverance.

Very few places have regular, well attended Prayer Meetings.

And shamefully, Love has been replaced by Judgementalism, Legalism, and man invented rules which suppress both love and The Holy Spirit given Gifts.

There’s no balance!

I hear The LORD say, “I gave My Spirit as teacher, guide, comforter, and many other things — but you ignore Him.

You rarely bother to listen!

When you do listen, you rarely pay heed, preferring to find and excuse to ignore Me. ‘It’s not the right time!’, or perhaps ‘our plans are already in place — we can’t change now!

I hear these and other reasons every day!

When will My stiff-necked people learn to obey?

When will the begin to listen?

When will they repent, truly repent, and turn from their wicked ways, and follow Me?” says The LORD.

“Where are My mighty men and women?

Where can I find a new Wigglesworth, a new Ravenhill, a new Wilkerson?

Those who will call My People, both INSIDE and OUTSIDE The Church, to repentance?”

Listen to The LORD say today: “I have prepared a new generation of My Mighty Men and Women who will fearlessly give the call to Repentance and Salvation.

They will do so with great signs and wonders following.

They are certainly younger. They may be flawed vessels. But they are My Choice!” says The LORD.

“My Choice — not man’s choice.

My Chosen Vessels who will, like the twelve before them, stand the world on its head, and bring great Glory to My Name!”

It’s about time we realised the importance of 2 Chronicles,

“IF My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 emphasis mine.

“IF — THEN” is God’s Way since time began.

“IF — THEN.

IF WE — THEN HE!

IF YOU — THEN I . . .”

There’s no other way.

As the old song says, “There’s no other way but to trust and obey . . . “

And it starts with us — The Church!

I also believe that a Remnant Church has been raised for such a time as this.

A Remnant who WILL and DO pray in tongues, heal the sick, raise the dead, and allow The LORD to build His Church His way — and the gates of Hell shall NOT prevail against it!

“Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve The LORD!” (Joshua 24:1)

As background information, see also:
The Early Christians by Eberhard Arnold :- A history of early Christians in their own words.
A 300 page Free PDF Download here.

~ Chris G. Bennett

Chris Bennett came to salvation in 1962 but didn’t begin ministry until 2007 — a late-comer! Now mandated by The LORD to prophesy and open old wells of revival in the U.K., but especially in Wales. He has also operated Healing Rooms, and worked with deliverance teams, all with his wife, Linda. Happily now doing whatever The LORD asks of them! Founder, with wife Linda, of their ministry The Upper Room Encounter.

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